Department of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

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Undergraduate

Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies majors are great students with strong academic abilities. The Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Department creates a learning environment that is supportive and challenging.

Our courses satisfy a majority of CLE requirements, making your degree easy to finish in four years. Our classes provide opportunities at every level for independent thought, original research and innovative writing.

IDIM & BIS Majors Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies is great for incorporating into a Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) or Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (IDIM). To find out how to include Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies courses in your major, schedule an appointment with the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies adviser by calling (612) 624-6809 or email gwssadv@umn.edu.

Goals for Students

The Department of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Minnesota is committed to an inclusive study of women that acknowledges differences such as class, ethnicity, disability, race, age, and sexual orientation. We have several intellectual goals for students:

To study interdisciplinary scholarship on women and gender;
To focus on multicultural and cross-cultural studies both in the United States and globally;
To develop critical, analytical and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills;
To enhance research skills and creative talents;
To develop new ideas and theories about women and gender that challenges assumptions and contribute to social change.

Award Winning Faculty

Many of our faculty have been recognized for their excellence in research and teaching. Their awards include: National Science Foundation Grant, Rockefeller Foundation Grant, Cornell Humanities Fellowship Award, Columbus Foundation American Book Award, U of M McKnight Award for Research in Humanities, U of M Morse Alumni Teaching Award, CLA Distinguished Teaching Award, Lambda Book Award at the U of M, and the President's Multicultural Research Award.

Legislative Internship Program
Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies opens up many opportunities, among which is the Legislative Internship Program. This program allows you to work eight hours a week with a state legislator or advocacy group while earning course credit. Learn how laws are made and what role citizens can have in the process. This is a great preparation for a career in public policy or political organizing. GWSS 4504 (Fall Semester) teaches you all about the legislative process. GWSS 4505 ( Spring Semester) guides you through your internship. These courses fulfill the CLE Citizenship and Public Ethics requirement. Call (612) 624-6809 for more information.

Sexual Violence Advocacy Training
Another great opportunity is the Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women course. This course explores the complexity of violence against women as it intersects with race, class, gender, ability and sexual orientation. We examine the social construction of violence, institutional responses to violence, and the impact of violence. Students gain an understanding of the dynamics of gender-based violence, learn about resources, and develop crisis intervention skills. This course doubles as a training to volunteer for The Aurora Center and confers statutory privilege as per MN Statute 595.02. This course meets the Minnesota Department of Corrections Guidelines for advocacy certification. This course is offered during the May Term. Call (612) 624-6809 for information.

Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies seminars
In addition to regular curriculum offerings, we offer a variety of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Seminars every year. These courses typically focuses on the special expertise of the instructor. These courses fulfill the requirement for students to complete their senior project requirement. Some recent Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Seminars included:

Floricanto: Power/Poetics of Chicana/Latina Writers
“Real” Women
Power & Gender: Prostitution
Afrodiasporic Motherhood

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