Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies (WGSS) program introduces an interdisciplinary, intersectional, and transnational understanding of gendered experiences. It examines how gender is locally and globally constituted at the intersection of race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, religion, (dis)ability, and other forms of differences.

Wherever issues of gender and sexuality are germane to a discipline, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies can be found, bringing new models of understanding to all areas of study, and thus incorporates a diverse range of courses across the university. The WGSS Minor bridges the gap between theory and activism by connecting historical and contemporary feminist theories with local, regional, and transnational feminist activism. It trains students for advanced graduate studies as well as social-justice oriented non-profit, government, and international professions.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Requirements for a Minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies		(18 credits)
WO-100	Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies	3
A minimum of 15 additional credits.		15
At least one elective course must be at the 300 level or higher.
A maximum of two elective courses can come from the student's major. (If the WGSS minor is part of a Liberal Studies major, the maximum does not apply.)
A maximum of three elective courses can come from any single discipline.
Total Credits		18

The WGSS Minor provides recursive opportunities for students to encounter, develop, and master (a) the core knowledge of these interdisciplinary fields, (b) the practices needed to comprehend and communicate this knowledge to diverse audiences, and (c) the dispositions, habits of mind, and practices essential to advancing WGSS’s liberatory values and aspirations. Students who minor in WGSS will

Compare, critique and challenge the formation of categories of gender, gender identity, and sexuality as they function in social, economic, cultural, and/or political contexts; and as they intersect with other categories of difference such as race, ethnicity, class, nationality, and ability.
Research, explain, and evaluate the historical development of feminist and queer theories, scholarship, and creative expression; engage in critical debates about those theories, scholarship, and creative expression; and apply feminist and queer critical perspectives to analyze meaningful questions across disciplines.
Learn and practice how to use intersectional gender- and sexuality-based frames of analysis as tools for academic research, creative production, collaborative work, and social change. WGSS courses substantively address at least one of the above program goals.

As an interdisciplinary Minor, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) draws its core faculty from multiple disciplines across campus. Each faculty member's information can be found at the respective department for each of the courses.

For more information about Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, including to be assigned a WGSS Advisor, please contact the Chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, Dr. Aldo Garcia Guevara at aguevara@worcester.edu, or Dr. Nafisa Tanjeem at ntanjeem@worcester.edu for more information about the program.

AR-225 Art Since Mid-20th Century

LASC Categories: CA, GP, WAC, DAC

Explores how artists have challenged the traditional definitions of the art object and the expanded materials, media and concepts employed by artists since 1950 to the present era.

Fall only and every year. 3 Credits

CM-213 Gender and the Media

LASC Categories: HBS, TLC, DAC, WAC, DIV

Prerequisites: CM-100 and EN-102

This course will explore how difference is socially constructed along gender lines and will explore the intersections of gender, identity, power and media representation.

Fall and Spring and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

CM-350 Intercultural Communication

Prerequisites: CM-100

Introductory communication theory and practice across cultural groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, nationality, politics and economics.

3 Credits

ED-330 Elementary Social Studies and Mulriculturalism

Goals, curriculum, skills, issues, teaching strategies in educating diverse populations in a global context. 10 hours of fieldwork. Prerequiste: Admitted into Stage 2

Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits

EN-132 World Literature

LASC Categories: GP, DAC, TLC, DIV

The course examines the major authors in world literature from ancient to modern times; however, in a given semester the course may focus on one particular time period. All areas of the world are covered, including such areas as Africa, Europe, the Americas. An emphasis will be put on cultural, sociological, historical, and philosophical influences on the literature. Such authors may be included as Chinua Achebe, Pablo Neruda, Bei Dao, Salman Rushdie, Nadine Gordimer, Edwidge Danticat, and Bessie Head.

Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits

EN-167 Literature and Human Rights

LASC Categories: GP, DAC, DIV

The course examines writing about human rights, including memoirs and novels, and examines issues of social justice. Violations of human rights that may be addressed include genocide, political repression, and torture; while social justice issues that may be examined include women's rights, justice and punishment, disability rights and methods of protesting for human rights. The course will examine definitions of human rights as well as reparations and living with the aftermath of human rights violations.

Fall and Spring and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

EN-172 Women and Literature

LASC Categories: WAC, TLC, GP

Explores basic issues and problems in literature by and about women.

Every year. 3 Credits

EN-174 Women Poets

LASC Categories: TLC, WAC, GP

Prerequisites: Fulfillment of Writing II

A close reading and analysis of poetry written by women from a historical as well as a contemporary feminist perspective.

Other or on demand. 3 Credits

EN-348 Postcolonial Women's Writing

LASC Categories: GP

Prerequisites: EN-102

Writing by women from colonized and formerly colonized countries on local and global issues shaping women's lives and creative expression.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

HC-234 Multiculturalism and Health

Examination of diverse ethnic/racial and cultural beliefs beliefs and practices affecting health and illness

Spring only and every year. 3 Credits

HE-210 Women's Health Issues

Overview of women's health issues: women in the health marketplace, a woman's right to control her body, media images and illness, eating disorders, therapy, alcohol, aging and the women's health movement.

Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits

HE-230 Human Sexuality and Sex Education

Prerequisites: HE-100

Focus on the need for and understanding of sex education, along with the process of implementing sexuality education, with emphasis upon teacher preparation.

Every year. 3 Credits

HI-216 Labor, Capital, and Power in United States History

LASC Categories: HBS, USW

The history of the United States economic development. Topics to be addressed include: slavery; consumerism and market economies; industrialization and de-industrialization; gendered and racialized divisions of labor; the global movement of capital, goods, and workers; union organizing; and the role of government and the law in shaping the economy. Counts for Europe/United States in the History major.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

HI-217 US Social History

LASC Categories: TLC, USW, WAC, DIV, DAC

Considers topics and approaches in the field of social history in the United States. Counts for Europe/US in History major. [Applicable to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor.]

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

HI-274 The History of Gender and Sexuality in America

LASC Categories: TLC, USW, DIV, DAC

The history of sexuality and gender in America. Includes investigations of lesbian and gay histories; transgender histories; attempts to regulate and define sexuality; practices of birth control; the intersections of race, class, and gender; the social construction of gender; and the challenges of doing hidden histories. Counts for Europe/US in the History major. [Applicable to the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor.]

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

HI-333 Women in Latin America

Prerequisites: HI-213 HI-214 HI-226 or HI-247

Examines the roles of women in diverse societies including Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean nations. Emphasis on the modern period. Counts for Africa/Latin America in the History major.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

HI-353 The Age of Reform: US History,1877-1920

Prerequisites: one History course.

An analysis of the transformation of America, including reform response to the Gilded Age's industrialization, urbanization and immigration patterns. Counts for Europe/United States in the History major.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

MU-231 Women in Music

LASC Categories: CA, TLC

A survey of the role of women in music, particularly the great composers from Medieval to Contemporary times.

3 Credits

NU-340 Nursing Science II: Pediatrics (Track I)

LASC Categories: NLL, DIV, DAC

Prerequisites: NU-210 NU-216 NU-309 NU-310 NU-430 Take EN-250 EN-202 or EN-102;
Prerequisites or Corequisite: NU-315

Concepts of wellness, disease, and health behavior are examined as the nursing process is operationalized in the care of acutely ill pediatric patients. Lecture and an off-site clinical experience are included in this course.

Spring only and every year. 4.5 Credits

PH-152 Philosophy of Love and Sex

LASC Categories: HBS, ICW, DAC

Investigates the concepts of love and sex and structural and discursive factors contributing to our daily experiences of these phenomena.

Every year. 3 Credits

PH-178 Africana Philosophy

LASC Categories: TLC, USW, DAC

Explores the philosophy of the African diaspora in African, African American and Caribbean writings. The course addresses both historical and contemporary material across intersections of race, gender, and class using philosophy, history, and literature.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

PH-240 Political Theory

LASC Categories: USW, TLC, DIV

Investigates concepts including political power, equality, revolution, liberties, slavery, socialism and patriarchal power, race and gender.

Every year. 3 Credits

PH-241 Genocide and Human Rights

LASC Categories: USW, GP, DIV

This course treats the ethical, political, and other dimensions of systematic mass violence through case studies and general theoretical analyses.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

PH-250 Global Feminisms

LASC Categories: TLC, GP

Investigates the theoretical underpinnings of women's movements for equal rights around the globe.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

PH-254 Feminist Theory

LASC Categories: HBS, USW, DAC, DIV

Feminist Theory: Examines the development of feminist ideas and movements from the 18th century to the present, in the US and, particularly in recent decades, globally. A close analysis of Second Wave, Postmodern, and Black Feminist ideas are studied as a basis for writings and social action that attends to issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality, using intersectional methodologies and critiques to address issues of reproduction and health, labor and economic power, violence, and state power.

Other or on demand and every year. 3 Credits

PS-255 Psychological Foundations of Diversity

Prerequisites: PS-101 with a C- or above.

Explores the gender, racial/ethnic, multiple-group membership, cultural, social class, religious, disability and sexual orientation facets of diversity.

Other or on demand and every year. 3 Credits

PS-260 Psychology of Human Sexuality

Prerequisites: PS-101 with a C- or above.

Sexuality as a foundation of personality. The wide range of human sexuality is explored; sexual development, roles, attitudes and behaviors.

Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

PS-263 Psychology of Women

Prerequisites: PS-101 with a C- or above.

Women's psychological development throughout the lifespan will be examined, including female development, achievement, stereotyping, stress, violence and psychological disorders.

Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

SO-285 Race, Class and Gender

LASC Categories: HBS, DAC

An introduction to dominant-minority group relations through the investigation of the patterns and dynamics of differentiation, inequality and discrimination.

3 Credits

SO-355 Gender and Sexuality

LASC Categories: HBS, ICW, DAC

This course introduces the sociologist study of gender and sexuality. This course examines how social institutions and cultural norms construct particular gender roles and sexual identities within society.

3 Credits

SP-292 Spanish for Women's Health

LASC Categories: GP, ICW, DAC

Prerequisites: SP-211 or above, or 3 years of language instruction.

In this course, students will develop communication skills in Spanish using information and vocabulary related to women's health. The content of this course focuses on language used in health professions as well as cultural situations. By familiarizing students with conversational Spanish and medical Spanish, this course will enable students to apply their learning to real-world situations, to assist in communications, and ultimately to break down the barrier between professionals and Spanish-speakers. Finally, the course's focus on cultural competency interrogates intersections between women's health and topics including but not limited to politics, economics, gender, sexuality, race and age.

Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

SP-349 Spanish-American Literature

Prerequisites: SP-321

Representative works from South and Central American authors from the colonial period to the present.

Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

UR-103 Introduction to Women's Studies

LASC Categories: DAC, ICW, HBS

This course uses a variety of academic disciplines to study the situation of women around the world.

Every year. 3 Credits

UR-290 Gender and the City

LASC Categories: WAC, GP, HBS

Prerequisites: EN-102

Exploration of the ways in which gender, both male and female, structures responses of individuals to urban life and spaces.

Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits

WO-100 Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

LASC Categories: ICW, DAC, DIV

How do the experiences of women reflect broader structures of power? What is gender? How does sexuality inform the construction of identity and relationships of power? How do gender, gender identity, and sexuality function in intersection with other categories of difference such as race, ethnicity, class, nationality, and ability? How have scholars, authors, and artists made sense of of these questions in their own work? In answering these questions, this course will introduce students to the interdisciplinary academic field of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits

WO-191 Special Topics in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

This course provides students an introduction to the field of WGSS through a frame that would not otherwise be offered in WO-100: Introduction to WGSS or PH-152: The Philosophy of Love and Sex. The specific focus of this course will be determined by the instructor, as per their area of expertise.