Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BA or BS
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The program in Women’s Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies examine the accomplishments and perspectives of women in history, culture, and contemporary society. The programs establish gender and sexuality as fundamental categories of social and cultural analysis. Drawing on disciplines across the university, the programs offer interdisciplinary perspectives from which to study the diversity of human experience. The courses foster critical analysis of the social meaning of gender and gender expression and examine sexual identities, discourses, and institutions as they intersect with class, race, ethnicity, nationality, and transnational movements, drawing on the full range of approaches adopted within Feminist and Queer scholarship.

The Women's Studies Program offers an undergraduate major within the Interdisciplinary Bachelors Degree in Humanities and an interdisciplinary minor at the undergraduate, MA, and Ph.D. levels. Students wishing to major or minor in Women's Studies must register with the Women's Studies Office and develop their program of study in consultation with the Program Director. Directed individual study in Women's Studies and the Women's Studies internships must be arranged with the Program Director. Students should contact the Women's Studies Office each term for information concerning additional special topics courses and seminars that are not among the regular course offerings.

If you would like to schedule an advising appointment, please contact Ms. Shannon Tucker at 644-9121 or email srtucker@fsu.edu.


Prospective transfer students should contact as-admissions@fsu.edu (Arts & Sciences Admissions) with specific questions about admission and mapping requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: None

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major:
To be admitted students must complete at least 52 hours of coursework with an adjusted FSU GPA of 2.00 and at least half the hours required in General Education requirements, including all freshman English composition and mathematics, or an A.A. degree.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (33 hours)
Students who wish to declare a major in women’s studies should apply for admission with the Women’s Studies office and complete an advising form. Majors will receive an interdisciplinary BA degree in Humanities with a major in women’s studies. Majors must maintain a 2.00 average for graduation. To be eligible for graduation, each student must complete an exit interview and survey.

WST Interdisciplinary courses: (12 hours)
WST 3015 (3) Introduction to Women’s Studies
WST 3251 (3) Women in Western Culture

The remainder of this 12 hour requirement may be met by taking any combination of the following courses, but at least one course must be either WST 4930 or WST 4931:

WST 4930r (3) Topics in Women's Studies
WST 4931 (3) Seminar in Women's Studies
WST 4940r (3-9) Women's Studies Internship (approved by Director)
WST 4613 (3) Contemporary Gendercide

Cross-listed core courses: (12 hours)
Select one course from each of the following groups. To the best of our knowledge, these are the current course numbers of the cross-listed core courses that are accepted. If you have questions about these or other courses, contact the advisor for this major.

Group A:
AMH 4561 (3) Women in 19th Century America
AMH 4562 (3) Women in Modern America
AMH 4684 (3) Women & Children in the Civil Rights Movement
CLA 3501 (3) Gender and Society in Ancient Greece
CLA 3502 (3) Women, Children and Slaves in Ancient Rome: The Roman Family
REL 3145 (3) Gender and Religion
REL 3337 (3) Goddesses, Women and Power in Hinduism

Group B:
ANT3302 (3) Sex and Culture
LIT 4554 (3) Feminist Theory
PHM 3123 (3) Philosophy of Feminism
PUP 3323 (3) Women and Politics
SOP 3742 (3) Psychology of Women
SYD 3800 (3) Sociology of Sex and Gender
SYO 4374 (3) Gender and Work

Group C:
FOW 3240 (3) Literature and Sexuality
FRT 3561 (3) French Women Writers
LIT 3383 (3) Women in Literature
LIT 4385 (3) Major Women Writers
SPW 4481 (3) Contemporary Spanish Women Writers (in Spanish)
SPW 4491 (3) Spanish-American Women Writers (in Spanish)
THE 4433 (3) Gender, Race, and Performance

Group D:
CCJ 4663 (3) Women, Crime and Justice
GEO4412 (3) Environment and Gender
NSP 3425 (3) Women's Health Issues: Concerns through the Life Cycle
PAD4433 (3) Women Disasters and Conflict
SOW 4108 (3) Women’s Issues and Social Work
SOW 4615 (3) Family Violence
SOW 4627 (3) Mental Health of Diverse Populations
SPC 4711 (3) Gender and Communication

Women's Studies Electives: (9 hours)
Nine (9) credit hours selected from among the following: courses listed in Groups A, B, C, and D; WST courses; approved related courses; and approved special topics courses, seminars, and workshops. Three (3) credit hours of the major elective requirement may be satisfied with a 2000-level course including, but not limited to, AMH 2096 and PHM 2121; however, the course must be taken at FSU and only one of the listed classes may be counted towards credit in the major.

Minor Coursework: Twelve (12) hours from an approved minor area, 15 hours from an approved interdepartmental minor or requirements as stated by the minor area. Women’s Studies majors are encouraged to complete a minor in a single discipline.

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3) or CGS 2100 (3), or other University approved course will meet the requirement for this major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework 33
Minor Coursework 12
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

*Note: One course from the list of approved Women’s Studies courses that is used to satisfy a General Education requirement may also be counted toward fulfillment of the major.

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Community Service Agency Worker, Lobbyist, Congressional Aide, Peace Corps/VISTA Worker, Consumer Advocate, Campaign Organizer/Manager, EEO Coordinator/Representative, Program Specialist, Fund Raiser, Public Policy Analyst, Grant Writer, Human Resources Program Assistant, Victim Advocate, Legislative Analyst, Women’s Resource Center Director.

Representative Employers: State, Federal, or Local Governments, Public Interest Groups, Action Committees, Political Candidates, Colleges or Universities, Corporations.

International Opportunities: International study is available for all students and may include opportunities for internships or taking course work towards various majors and minors. International study may have an impact on the MAP; therefore, it is important to consult with the academic advisor before participating. Interested students can find information about international study, research, internships, and service opportunities at: global.fsu.edu/undergraduate-students/going-abroad.