Studies in Women and Gender

Requirements for Major

All students must complete SWAG 210 “Women’s Lives in Myth and Reality: Introduction to Studies in Women and Gender” prior to declaring the Major. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in the course to declare the major.

A Major in Studies in Women and Gender (SWAG) requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credits). At least five of these courses must carry a SWAG mnemonic (to include cross-listed SWAG courses). At least eight courses must be at the 300 level or above. Note that as a prerequisite to the Major, SWAG 210 will NOT count towards the 30 credits required to complete the Major. All SWAG Majors must complete the following required courses:

1. SWAG 381 Feminist Theory
2. SWAG 382 Feminist Methodologies
3. SWAG 405 or 406 Senior Seminar
4. One SWAG course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives.

The completion of SWAG 381 and SWAG 382 is a prerequisite for admission to SWAG 405 or 406 (the Senior Seminar). A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the major. Courses counting toward the SWAG Major may include up to two courses designated as adjunct courses and up to two Independent Study courses. An adjunct course is one in which gender is a significant focus, but whose focus is not on women or gender. SWAG courses may be “double-counted” toward a major in another department; that is, SWAG courses taken for another Major can also count toward the SWAG major.

Distinguished Majors Program

Majors in Studies in Women and Gender with a strong academic record are encouraged to become Distinguished Majors. Distinguished Majors complete a two-semester written thesis (approximately 40-60 pages in length) in their fourth year under the supervision of a SWAG faculty member. The thesis allows students to pursue their own interests in depth and have the intellectual satisfaction of defining and completing a sustained project. The Distinguished Major and Senior Thesis is an especially good option for students considering a graduate level work in any field.

To be eligible, students must have a 3.400 overall GPA at the start of their fourth year. Students pursuing the Senior Thesis will sign up for a 6-credit course, SWAG 491 and 492, under the supervision of a SWAG faculty member. The thesis must also be approved by a second faculty member whom the student will choose in consultation with the thesis advisor.

The 6-credit senior thesis course will count toward the 30 credits required for the Major. Successful completion of the thesis qualifies the student for graduation with Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction, depending upon the recommendation of the two faculty advisors, and subject to approval of the College’s Committee on Special Programs.

An early start is important to the successful completion of a Senior Thesis. While not required, it is recommended that students make the decision to pursue the Distinguished Majors Program during their third year. This will give them the opportunity to discuss the project with various faculty members, determine suitable advisors, and have the summer between the third and fourth years to define their project further and begin some preliminary reading and planning. Students choosing to pursue the thesis should complete a DMP enrollment form in the first semester of their final year.

Requirements for Minor

All students must complete SWAG 210 “Women’s Lives in Myth and Reality: Introduction to Studies in Women and Gender” prior to declaring the Minor. You must receive a grade of “C” or better in the course to declare the minor.

A Minor in Studies in Women and Gender (SWAG) requires the completion of six courses (18 credits). At least four of these courses must be at the 300 level or above. Note that as a prerequisite to the Minor, SWAG 210 will NOT count towards the 30 credits required to complete the Minor. All SWAG Minors must complete the following required courses:

1. SWAG 381 Feminist Theory
2. SWAG 382 Feminist Methodologies
3. SWAG 405 or 406 Senior Seminar
4. One SWAG course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives

The completion of SWAG 381 and SWAG 382 is a prerequisite for admission to SWAG 405 or 406 (the Senior Seminar). A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the Minor. Courses counting toward the SWAG Minor may include one course designated as an adjunct course. An adjunct course is one in which gender is a significant focus, but whose central focus is not on women or gender.

Additional Information

Information For more information, contact Kath Weston, Director, Studies in Women and Gender Program, P.O. Box 400172, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4172; (434) 982-2961;

swaguva@virginia.edu; www.virginia.edu/womenstudies/home.htm

Course Descriptions

Each semester the Program produces a list of primary and adjunct courses that count toward the Major and Minor, including those which are designated as satisfying the Global Perspective requirement. For an up-to-date listing of courses, see the Program website at: http://www.virginia.edu/womenstudies/courses.html

• SWAG 177 - Gender and Sexuality in Popular Media Credits: 3
• SWAG 210 - Women’s Lives in Myth and Reality Credits: 3
• SWAG 309 - Independent Study Credits: 2 to 4
• SWAG 312 - Women and Islam Credits: 3
• SWAG 314 - Border Crossings: Women, Islam and Literature in the Middle East and North Africa Credits: 3
• SWAG 331 - Women and Television Credits: 3
• SWAG 335 - Gender Politics in Comparative Perspective Credits: 3
• SWAG 365 - East Asian Women: (Self) Portrayals in Social Context Credits: 3
• SWAG 381 - Feminist Theories Credits: 3
• SWAG 405 - Senior Seminar in Women’s Studies Credits: 3
• SWAG 406 - Senior Seminar in Women’s Studies Credits: 3
• SWAG 412 - Rights, Identity and Gender Credits: 3
• SWAG 414 - Seminar on Iranian Women Writers Credits: 3
• SWAG 424 - Rights, Identity and Gender Credits: 3
• SWAG 432 - Gender Politics in Africa Credits: 3
• SWAG 435 - Gender and the Public Sphere Credits: 3
• SWAG 442 - Women and Education Credits: 3
• SWAG 491 - Women’s Studies Senior Thesis Credits: 3