Gender and Women's Studies
Program Office: 911 South Sixth Street, Champaign, (217) 333-2990
Students majoring in Gender and Women’s Studies examine the ways in which sex and gender have structured human societies and cultures, past and present. The interdisciplinary curriculum of Gender and Women’s Studies explores women’s and men’s cultural identities and social roles in relation to race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, and globalization. The program provides both a broad and deep approach to theory, research, and multidisciplinary study.
The major in Gender and Women’s Studies builds critical thinking, writing, and verbal skills, combining self-exploration with intellectual development. Because of its interdisciplinary focus, a major in Gender and Women’s Studies helps students develop a broad range of knowledge and practical skills. Students have multiple opportunities to work closely with professors on individually designed research projects, making the major an excellent choice for students who plan to attend professional or graduate school. It is also excellent preparation for students who seek employment in non-profit, public policy, or social service agencies.
Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum
E-mail: gws@illinois.edu
www.gws.illinois.edu
Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required courses: 33 hours.
General education: The LAS General Education requirements are designed to automatically fulfill the Campus General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction. To be eligible for graduation with distinction, a student must have a college grade-point average of 3.5, a Gender and Women's Studies Concentration grade point average of 3.5, complete the Senior Seminar, GWS 498, with a grade of A, and complete a semester paper in GWS 498 that is deemed worthy of "distinction" by the instructor.
High distinction. To be eligible for graduation with high distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a Gender and Women's Studies Concentration grade-point average of 3.7, complete the Senior Seminar, GWS 498, with a grade of A, and complete a semester paper in GWS 498 that is deemed worthy of "high distinction" by the instructor.
Advising: The Gender and Women’s Studies Program provides advising for students to help plan a coherent program in their selected area of study.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | GWS 100—Intro Gender Studies OR GWS 250—Gender Studies Humanities |
| 3 | GWS 350—Intro to Feminist Theory |
| 3 | Historical Perspectives—One course chosen from the following: |
HIST 285—US Gender History to 1877 (Same as GWS 285) |
|
|
|
HIST 287—African-American Women (Same as GWS 287) |
|
GWS 380—Black Women Hist & Cultures |
|
AFRO 383—Hist of Blk Women's Activism (Same as GWS 383) |
|
HIST 469—Women, Autobiography & History (Same as GWS 469) |
|
GWS—295, 395 or 495 - Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Topics in Gender & Women's Studies (with approval from advisor) |
|
| 3 | Global and Comparative Perspectives—One course from the following: |
AFRO 103—Black Women in the Diaspora (Same as GWS 103) |
|
SOC 261—Gender Transnatl Perspective (Same as GWS 261) |
|
ANTH 262—Women’s Lives (Same as GWS 262) |
|
RLST 403—Women in Muslim Societies (Same as GWS 403) |
|
EALC 361—Women in East Asia (Same as GWS 361) |
|
GWS 480—Gender Relations & Intl Dev |
|
GWS 295, 395 or 495 - Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Topics in Gender & Women's Studies (with approval from advisor) |
|
| 3 | Senior Capstone Course |
GWS 498—Senior Seminar (preferred for senior year; also fulfills Comp II requirement) |
|
| 18 |
|
| 33 | Total required hours |
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses must be taken on this campus.
Interdisciplinary Minor in Gender and Women's Studies
The Gender and Women's Studies Program sponsors an interdisciplinary minor in Gender and Women's Studies. Students must satisfy the following requirements:
- a. Students must officially declare their minor by registering
with the Gender and Women's Studies adviser.
- b. The program of study must be approved by the Gender and Women's Studies Program adviser to ensure its coherence.
E-mail: gws-email@illinois.edu
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 6 | Two of the
following three Women’s Studies courses:
|
GWS 250 - Gender Studies Humanities |
|
GWS 350 - Intro to Feminist Theory |
|
| 15 | Other courses either offered by or cross-listed with the Gender and Women’s Studies Program, or related courses from other departments approved by the Gender and Women’s Studies adviser, which must include 9 hours of 300- or 400-level GWS courses or approved advanced courses from other units. |
| 21 | Total hours |
Interdisciplinary Minor in LGBT/Queer Studies
The Gender and Women’s Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary minor in LGBT/Queer Studies. In consultation with an advisor, students pursuing the minor will select from a variety of courses within interdisciplinary sexuality studies, including courses in LGBT/Queer theory, history, methodology, and contemporary issues. The minor requires a total of 18 hours, which includes 6 hours of required, upper level coursework and 12 hours of electives.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | GWS 370- Intro to Queer Studies |
| 3 | GWS 470 Trans Bodies and Politics OR |
| GWS 458 Postcolonial Queer | |
| 12 | Electives selected from the courses listed below or approved by the GWS Program: |
| ANTH 258 Sex in Nature and Culture (same as GWS 258) | |
| GER 270 Sexuality and Literature (same as GWS 270) | |
| GWS 325 Lesbian Print Cultures | |
| LLS 465 Race, Sex, and Deviance (same as GWS 465) | |
| GWS 459 Postcolonial/Queer | |
| GWS 470 Trans Bodies and Politics | |
| GWS 478 Sex, Power, and Politics | |
| Other courses as approved by the GWS advisor | |
| 18 | Total |