Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Why study women, gender and sexuality?
- Confront social problems around gender and sexuality
- Collaborate with students and faculty from across the social sciences and humanities
- Build expertise on issues that matter most to you
If you are interested in how gender, race, class, and sexuality structure our world and interactions with one another, and if you are passionate about issues of social justice and inequality, then a degree in WGSS may be a great fit for you.
Students in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies develop a broad set of skills to critically analyze social issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, history, law, literature, political science, psychology, and sociology. They learn to employ different methods and modes of analysis to better identify, critique, and productively understand the status of women in society and how structures of inequality interact with gender and sexuality.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of Admissions website.
First- and Second-Year Preparation
It is recommended that students complete WGSS 101, the introductory course, and consult the undergraduate advisor.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Major Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Majors must complete 30 total credit hours, with a maximum of 6 credits at the 100 or 200 level and a minimum of 12 credits at the 500+ level. In addition, majors must complete a course in each of the following areas. | ||
| Introduction: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | ||
or WGSS 102 | Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Honors | |
| Social Science Perspective: | 3 | |
| Satisfied by any one course (3 hours) that is cross-referenced between WGSS and a social science department, including Anthropology; Political Science; Psychology; Social Welfare; or Sociology. | ||
Eligible courses include: | ||
| Sociology of Families | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Language, Gender, and Sexuality | ||
| Health, Gender, and Society | ||
| Religion, Power, and Sexuality in Arab Societies | ||
| The Black Woman | ||
| The Anthropology of Gender: Female, Male, and Beyond | ||
| Intimate Relationships | ||
| Women and Islam | ||
| Gender and Society | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Health and Human Sexuality | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Policing the Womb | ||
| Women and Violence | ||
| Gender and Politics | ||
| Feminist Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| Politics of Identity | ||
| Jazz and American Culture | ||
| Gender, Peace, and Conflict | ||
| Gender and Politics in Africa | ||
| Humanities Perspective: | 3 | |
| Satisfied by any one course (3 hours) that is cross-referenced between WGSS and a humanities department, including Classics; Communications; English; Film and Media Studies; Global and International Studies; History; History of Art; Humanities; Indigenous Studies; Jewish Studies; Latin American & Caribbean Studies; Philosophy; or Religious Studies. | ||
Eligible courses include: | ||
| Women, Gender, and Sexuality in the North American West | ||
| Global Environmental Literature | ||
| Sex in History | ||
| History, Women, and Diversity in the U.S. | ||
| From Goddesses to Witches: Women in Premodern Europe | ||
| From Mystics to Feminists: Women's History in Europe 1600 to the Present | ||
| LGBTQ U.S. History, 1600-1900 | ||
| LGBTQ U.S. History, 1900-Present | ||
| History of Women and the Body | ||
| Black Love and Romance | ||
| Pregnancy in Modern Literature | ||
| Angry White Male Studies | ||
| Religious Perspectives on Selfhood and Sexuality | ||
| Trans: A Global History | ||
| Sexual Politics in Chinese Literature and Culture: Premodern Times | ||
or EALC 618 | Sexual Politics in Chinese Literature and Culture: Premodern Times | |
| International Women Filmmakers | ||
| Communication and Gender | ||
| Gender and Religion | ||
| Philosophy of Sex and Love | ||
| History of American Women--Colonial Times to 1870 | ||
| History of American Women--1870 to Present | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Greek Culture | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Roman Culture | ||
| Rococo to Realism: Painting in Europe c. 1750-1848 | ||
| Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: 1848-1900 | ||
| Skin, Sex, and Disease | ||
| History of Feminist Theory | ||
| The Rhetoric of Women's Rights | ||
| Women and Literature: _____ | ||
| The Body, Self and Society | ||
| Love, Sexuality and Gender in Japanese Literature | ||
or WGSS 376 | Love, Sexuality and Gender in Japanese Literature | |
or EALC 375 | Love, Sexuality and Gender in Japanese Literature | |
| Sexuality and Gender in African History | ||
| Theoretical Perspective: | 3 | |
| Satisfied by one course (3 hours) that addresses theoretical issues in gender, sexuality, and feminism. | ||
Eligible courses include: | ||
| Black Feminist and Womanist Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Queer Theory: Tools for Deconstructing Gender | ||
| Black Feminist Theory | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Theory | ||
| Feminism and Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy of Sex and Love | ||
| History of Feminist Theory | ||
| Feminist Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| International Perspective: | 3 | |
| Satisfied by any one course (3 hours) that focuses primarily on global or non-US contexts. | ||
Eligible courses include: | ||
| From Goddesses to Witches: Women in Premodern Europe | ||
| From Mystics to Feminists: Women's History in Europe 1600 to the Present | ||
| History of Jewish Women | ||
| International Women's Rights | ||
| Fat, Food and the Body in Global Perspective | ||
| Judaism and Sexuality | ||
| Religion, Power, and Sexuality in Arab Societies | ||
| Love, Sexuality and Gender in Japanese Literature | ||
or EALC 575 | Love, Sexuality and Gender in Japanese Literature | |
| African Art and Gender | ||
| The Anthropology of Gender: Female, Male, and Beyond | ||
| Women and Islam | ||
| International Women Filmmakers | ||
| Politics of Human Trafficking | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Greek Culture | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Roman Culture | ||
| Rococo to Realism: Painting in Europe c. 1750-1848 | ||
| Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: 1848-1900 | ||
| Making a Pandemic: The History and Politics of HIV/AIDS | ||
| Gender, Culture, and Migration | ||
| Love, Sex, and Globalization | ||
| Sexuality and Gender in African History | ||
| Gender, Peace, and Conflict | ||
| Gender and Politics in Africa | ||
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Satisfied by all WGSS courses. | ||
Eligible courses include all those listed above and the following: | ||
| Introduction to Human Sexuality Studies | ||
| Study Abroad Topics in: _____ | ||
| Perspectives in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | ||
| Sex and Gender in New Media | ||
| The Politics of Physical Appearance | ||
| Feminism and Social Change | ||
| When We Lead: Minorities and the Legislative Process | ||
| Studies in: _____ (Can be designated as social science or humanities perspective by petition.) | ||
| Study Abroad Topic in: _____ | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Native Feminisms | ||
| Gender, Sexuality and the Law | ||
| Service Learning in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies | ||
| Studies in: _____ | ||
| Research Methods | 3 | |
| Satisfied by: (suggested for the junior year) | ||
| Doing Feminist Research | ||
| Capstone Project | 3 | |
| Satisfied by successful completion of WGSS 601. For students pursuing department honors, successful completion of the WGSS 498/WGSS 499 sequence (each for 3 credits) fulfills the capstone requirement. | ||
| Honors in Women, Gender and Sexualty Studies (By permission of honors supervisor) | ||
| Seminar in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (Spring Only) | ||
Note: Courses with a blank (____) vary by semester and may be repeated for credit. These courses will always count as general electives. If they include significant theoretical, disciplinary, or international perspectives, they may count toward specific requirements within this program as well. Confirm with the major advisor.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 24 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Hours at Advanced Levels
Satisfied by a maximum of 6 hours at the 100-200 level and 24 hours at 300-600 level (at least 12 of which must be at 500-600 level)
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Overlap Policies
Students who wish to pursue more than one program offered by the department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies may do so with the following restrictions: No more than four courses may be used to fulfill requirements for both the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major and the Human Sexuality major – two of which would be WGSS 501 and WGSS 601. No more than two courses may overlap between any of our majors and minors, or between our two minors – one of which would be WGSS 501. Students earning an undergraduate certificate in addition to another WGSS program can overlap one course – the introductory-level requirement.
For students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, refer to this sample 4-year plan for a BA in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies or use the left-side navigation.
For students pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies degree, refer to this sample 4-year plan for a BGS in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies or use the left-side navigation.
Summary
- 3.5 GPA in the WGSS major
- A senior honors thesis related to WGSS written over two semesters (in two three-credit courses)
- Double majors: earn Honors in both majors with one thesis that is relevant to both programs.
GPA Requirements
Students need a 3.5 GPA in their WGSS major to qualify for Departmental Honors. There is no minimum for a student's overall GPA.
Honors Thesis
Students write an honors thesis that is pertinent to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. An honors thesis is a piece of original research or other project supervised by a faculty member of any department. In most cases, the result will be a written document of some length, but the student and thesis advisor may also agree on alternative, creative formats for the thesis project.
To complete the project, students must take 6 credit hours of honors thesis work (3 hours per semester for 2 semesters) and they must earn an A or B in the first semester and an A the second. For these 6 hours, students typically enroll in:
- WGSS 498 Independent Study in the fall of the senior year
- WGSS 499 Honors in Women, Gender and Sexualty Studies in the spring of the senior year
After completing these credits, the honors thesis or project must be reviewed and approved by a three-member thesis committee. The thesis committee must include the advisor and two other faculty members. At least one of the committee members must have a faculty appointment in WGSS or serve as WGSS affiliate faculty.
Typical Timeline
- Fall Semester of the Junior Year: Take WGSS 498 to develop research interests and an idea for your thesis. Enroll in other courses that let you develop expertise in this area.
- Spring Semester of the Junior Year: Get to know faculty members who share similar research interests by enrolling in their courses or visiting them in office hours. Identify a professor willing to supervise the thesis. Inform the WGSS Honors Coordinator!
- Fall Semester of the Senior Year: Enroll in 3 credit hours of . Begin researching the thesis topic. Form a three-person faculty committee in consultation with the thesis advisor. Before enrolling for spring courses, complete the Honors Intent Form.
- Spring Semester of the Senior Year: Enroll in 3 credit hours of WGSS 499. Finish the thesis and submit to the committee for approval.
- If the thesis is passed, the thesis advisor needs to sign and submit the Honors Certification Form to College Undergraduate Academic Services at least a week before the end of the graduation term. The thesis advisor should also notify the Honors Coordinator of the result.
Double Majors
With proper planning, double majors in WGSS and a second academic program may complete a single honors project to satisfy departmental honors in both of their majors. The honors project must still meet the standards set by both departments. For example, a student double majoring in WGSS may work with an advisor from their second major and enroll in credits from the second major, as long as their project addresses themes of gender and sexuality. They must convene a faculty committee to approve the project, and at least one member of that committee must be a member of the WGSS Department or serve as WGSS affiliate faculty.
Students pursuing this option are encouraged to work closely with the WGSS Honors Coordinator to make sure the project in their second major meets WGSS requirements.