Directions for Election

A major in Women's Studies offers an opportunity for the interdisciplinary study of women from the perspectives of the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Women's Studies majors seek an understanding of the new intellectual frameworks that are reshaping thought about the meaning and role of gender in human life. Majors pursue knowledge of gendered experiences in diverse cultures and across time, examining the ways in which race, social class, sexuality, and ethnicity are constitutive of that experience.

The Major

A major in Women's Studies requires nine units taken both within the department and through the related courses taught in other departments. Of these, two units must be 300-level courses (not counting 350, 350H, 360, or 370). Not more than two units can be 100-level courses.

Students are encouraged to enter the department through one of the three core units: WOST 108 (The Social Construction of Gender), WOST 120 (Introduction to Women's Studies), or WOST 222 (Women in Contemporary American Society). Majors must take one of these units as a required course. Apart from this one required unit (108, 120 or 222), majors must elect at least three other units offered within the Women's Studies Department, of which one should be a seminar. 100-level courses are introductions to topics in Women's Studies. They are taught from the perspective of each faculty member's specialty. 200-level courses are overviews to substantive areas. 300-level courses provide in-depth examination of material covered in 200-level courses. Students majoring in Women's Studies must elect four of the nine units in such a way that they form a "concentration," i.e. have a focus or central theme in common. Such concentration should include relevant method and theory units in the area of concentration, and must be discussed with and approved by a Women's Studies faculty advisor. See Concentrations in this regard. Priority in all courses above the 100 level will go to majors and minors. Students selecting 300-level courses must have one course listed in the department.

The Capstone Experience in Women's Studies

All majors will be required to select a capstone experience, with the guidance of their adviser, from the following three options offered in 2005-06. Students should begin to think about which option would best fit their concentration when they declare the major. They must declare their option by the end of their junior year.

Option One: WOST 312 (Seminar) Feminist Inquiry. Each year the seminar will be a different special topic. For 2005-06, the topic is "Framing the Body Through Feminist Theory," taught by Professor Creef. For 2006-07 the topic is "Global Feminism," taught by Professor Cheng.
Option Two: WOST 313 Fieldwork in Women's Studies
Option Three: WOST 360/370 Senior Thesis

Option Three is the traditional senior honors thesis which requires two units over the senior year. See Academic Distinctions for requirements. A thesis does not need to have an experiential component but typically it is based on some original research. Option Two must involve an experiential component.

The Minor

A minor in Women's Studies consists of five courses, of which one must be chosen from among 108, 120, or 222, and of which one must be a 300-level course (not 350 or 350H) offered within the department. A total of at least three courses must be taken within the Women's Studies Department. Minors must devise a three-course "concentration" (see above) in consultation with a Women's Studies faculty advisor (the chair or any of the four Women's Studies faculty members). Not more than one unit can be a 100-level course.

Women's Studies AP Policy

Women's Studies does not allow students to count AP credits towards the fulfillment of the major or minor.

Honors

The only route to honors in the major is writing a thesis and passing an oral examination. To be admitted to the thesis program, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all work in the major field above the 100-level; the department may petition on her behalf if her GPA in the major is between 3.0 and 3.5. See Academic Distinctions.