Women and Gender Studies Concentration

Combining research, teaching, and activism focusing on the intersections among gender, sexuality, race and class.

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN-WGST

Green Leaf

The MAIS in interdisciplinary studies is for students who seek a master's degree that integrates knowledge from several disciplines. It addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique graduate study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations and also have the opportunity to design an individualized concentration to meet the special needs of their careers.

The MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Energy and Sustainability is a Green Leaf program

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 36

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate coursework. Students must submit a curriculum worksheet that has been approved by their concentration head and the director. Some concentrations require a project or thesis.

Concentration in Women and Gender Studies (WGST)

The concentration in women and gender studies promotes advanced scholarship that transcends traditional boundaries. Students combine required coursework in feminist theory, feminist research methods, critical race theory, queer and sexuality studies, and transnational feminisms with elective course offerings in disciplines such as history, literature, sociology, anthropology, health, education, philosophy, social work, conflict analysis and resolution, or the arts. The program accommodates both full-time and part-time students.

Of the coursework required for this concentration as described below, at least 21 credits must be in core courses related to the study of women and gender. Students must earn a grade of B- or higher in the core courses.

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking the MAIS degree and a master's degree in another discipline should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies regarding Individualized Dual Master's Degree Programs.

Core Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
WMST 610 Feminist Research Methods 3
Students take one course from each of the following areas. 1 9
Critical Race Studies (3 credits)
 
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies  
Policing Black Bodies
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies (when topic is Black Psychology)  
Special Topics (when topic is Gender, Race, Reform 1800-1920, Gender, Race and Lynching or Gender and Racial Idealogy in Jim Crow)  
Bodies and Sexualities (3 credits)
 
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies (when topic is Feminist Ecopolitics or Gender, Race and Animal Rights)  
Queer Theory  
Transnational and Global Perspectives (3 credits)
 
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Total Credits 18

Electives

Students take 12 credits in elective courses that address the study of women and gender and that are not taken as part of the core focus. 12
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies (can be repeated for credit)  
Special Topics (can be repeated for credit)  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Other relevant courses from other disciplines chosen in consultation with concentration head
 
Total Credits 12

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Individualized Concentration (IND)

This concentration is for students who wish to design a graduate program to meet the special needs of their careers and life plans. Students usually choose this option because traditional graduate programs do not meet their specific goals. Students, with help from their faculty advisor, design a unique program of study that includes courses from several academic departments.

Students have access to most graduate courses offered by Mason but must meet all course prerequisites.  Each student must submit a curriculum worksheet approved by the student's advisor and director during the first semester enrolled. Any subsequent amendments must have the approval of the student's advisor and the director.

Disciplinary Focus

Select 15 credits in one discipline. These require the approval of faculty advisor and MAIS director. 15
Total Credits 15

Complementary Disciplines

Students choosing to complete a project or thesis take 12 credits in complementary disciplines. Students choosing not to complete a project or thesis take 15 credits total. These require the approval of faculty advisor and MAIS director. 12-15
Total Credits 12-15

Research Methods

Students take the following research methods course or other relevant courses in consultation with a faculty advisor and MAIS director. 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Total Credits 3

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Optional Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  



Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking global affairs or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Global Affairs, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Global Affairs and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Global Affairs MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 54 credits rather than 66 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Total credits: 54

Required Global Affairs Courses

GLOA 600 Global Competencies 3
GLOA 610 Economic Globalization and Development 3
GLOA 615 Case Studies in Globalization 3
GLOA 710 Seminar Abroad 3
Select three courses from the chosen specialization for the global affairs MA 9
Total Credits 21

Required Women and Gender Studies Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
Select one course in critical race studies from the following: 3
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies
Policing Black Bodies  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: 3
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Queer Theory  
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: 3
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Select 9 credits in elective courses chosen from the following and not used to fulfill another requirement: 9
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Total Credits 24

Required Methods Course 

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Feminist Research Methods  
Total Credits 3

Capstone

Select one of the following: 3
Capstone Research Seminar  
Integrated Learning Experience  
Total Credits 3

Project or Thesis

Select one of the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  
Total Credits 3

Total Credits: 54

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking philosophy or interdisciplinary studies (women and gender studies concentration) and a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Philosophy, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (Concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Department of Philosophy and the Interdisciplinary Studies Program offer a dual master's degree program where students can earn both the MA and the MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 55 credits rather than 67 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Students pursuing dual master's study linking the Philosophy MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS with a concentration in women and gender studies will complete WMST 630 Feminist Theories across the Disciplines/PHIL 658 Feminist Theory and 3 additional credits of WMST courses approved by the Department of Philosophy to apply to the philosophy degree as elective credit. Six credits of approved PHIL credits will apply to the MAIS degree as elective credit.

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking sociology or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Sociology, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Sociology MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 57 credits rather than 69 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Total credits: 57

Required Sociology Courses

SOCI 601 Proseminar in Public and Applied Sociology 3
SOCI 620 Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry 3
SOCI 711 Classical Sociological Theory 3
SOCI 712 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3
Elective Methodology and Analysis Course 3
Survey Research  
Evaluation Research for Social Programs  
Special Topics in Sociology  
Qualitative Research Methods  
Statistical Reasoning  
Feminist Theory  
Ethnography  
Historical and Comparative Sociology  
Analytic Techniques of Social Research  
Methods in Anthropology  
Select three advanced courses (500-800 level) in sociology 9
Total Credits 24

Required Women and Gender Studies Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3
Select one course in critical race studies form the following: 3
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies  
Policing Black Bodies
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: 3
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Queer Theory  
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: 3
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Seminar for Supervision in Teacher Education  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Select three courses from the following that address the study of women and gender and that are not taken as part of the core focus. 9
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Other relevant courses from other disciplines chosen in consultation with concentration head
 
Total Credits 27

Required Methods Course

WMST 610 Feminist Research Methods 3

Capstone, Project, or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis  
Thesis  
Master's Capstone Paper  
Total Credits 3