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.

Banner Code: WGST

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

WMST 200Introduction to Women and Gender Studies (Mason Core)3
WMST 330Feminist Theories of Gender, Sexuality, and Race3
Total Credits6

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.

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 course3
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 Credits12

Optional Focus in Gender Based Violence

WMST 320Violence, Gender, and Sexuality3
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
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
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 Credits12