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.
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. Alternatively they can choose to focus their electives on gender based violence.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Historical Perspectives | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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) | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Women's Health | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Violence, Gender, and Sexuality | ||
| Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Art as Social Action (Mason Core) | ||
| Gender Representation in Popular Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Temptress: Sexuality and Power | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Social Justice Education (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Problems and Solutions (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Optional Focus in Gender Based Violence
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WMST 320 | Violence, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 |
| or INTS 310 | Violence, Gender, and Sexuality | |
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Internship in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
| Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
| Human Trafficking and Smuggling | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Psychology of Crime Victims | ||
| Criminal Behavior: Psychological and Neurological Aspects | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Justice and Reconciliation | ||
or CONF 399 | Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | |
| Violence: Causes, Dynamics Alternatives | ||
| Special Topics (when topic is social inequality crime, and justice) | ||
| Crime Victims and Victimization | ||
| Migrant Health | ||
| Social Determinants of Health | ||
or SOCW 445 | Social Determinants of Health | |
| Gender and Society | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Violence and Religion (Additioal course with the approval of the minor advisor) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |