Minor in Women and Gender Studies
Catalog Year: 2026-2027
Banner Code: LA-MINOR-WGST-WGST
This minor is for students who are interested in gender, sexuality, and feminist perspectives. While it is an especially good complement to a major in the humanities, social sciences, health and human services, or natural sciences, it is open to students in any major in the university.
The interdisciplinary minor consists of two required courses and four electives. Students interested in feminist and gender issues choose their elective courses from a broad range of offerings.
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.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WMST 200 | Introduction to Women and Gender Studies (Mason Core) | 3 |
| WMST 330 | Feminist Theories of Gender, Sexuality, and Race | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives
Students complete the minor with 12 credits of women and gender studies electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Historical Perspectives | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| Violence, Gender, and Sexuality (Mason Core) | ||
| Temptress: Sexuality and Power | ||
| Critical Race Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Women and Work | ||
| Black Social Movements: Gendering of Violence and Activism | ||
| Women During the Enslavement Era | ||
| Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | ||
|
Other related Special Topics courses with approval
|
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| Additional Electives | ||
| Select one WMST course | 3 | |
| Select 6 credits of additional elective courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to African American Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Asian American Women Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Representation in China | ||
| Justice and Reconciliation | ||
| Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Violence: Causes, Dynamics Alternatives | ||
| Crime Victims and Victimization | ||
| Special Topics (when topic is social inequality, crime, and justice) | ||
| Social Determinants of Health | ||
| Social Determinants of Health | ||
| Migrant Health | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Women's Health | ||
| Violence, Gender, and Sexuality (Mason Core) | ||
| Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Art as Social Action (Mason Core) | ||
| Gender Representation in Popular Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Temptress: Sexuality and Power | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Human Trafficking and Smuggling | ||
| Social Justice Education (Mason Core) | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Psychology of Crime Victims | ||
| Criminal Behavior: Psychological and Neurological Aspects | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Gender and Society | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Problems and Solutions (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
|
Additional course with approval of minor advisor
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| Total Credits | 12 | |