Sep 12, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2012-2013 
    
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Undergraduate Record 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Women, Gender & Sexuality

Requirements for Major

A Major in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credits). At least five of these courses must carry a WGS mnemonic (to include combined WGS courses). At least seven courses must be at the 3000 level or above. All WGS Majors must complete the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender Studies
  2. Either WGS 3810 Feminist Theory or WGS 3800 Queer Theory
  3. WGS 4050 Senior Seminar
  4. One WGS course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives.

The completion of (1) WGS 2100 and (2) either WGS 3810 or WGS 3800 are a prerequisite for admission to WGS 4050 (the Senior Seminar). A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the Major. Courses counting toward the WGS 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 or sexuality is a significant focus, but the central focus is not on women, gender, or sexuality. An independent study course may include one semester of an approved internship. Three WGS courses may be “double-counted” toward a Major in another department; that is, three courses taken for another Major can also count toward the WGS major.

Distinguished Majors Program

Majors in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) 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 WGS core 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 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 are encouraged to consider enrolling in WGS 3820 Feminist Methodologies or an alternative methodology course approved by the advisor.  Students are required to sign up for a 6-credit course, WGS 4998 and 4999, under the supervision of a WGS core 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 students the opportunity to discuss the project with various faculty members, identify suitable advisors, and have the summer between the third and fourth years to define their project further and begin some preliminary reading and planning. For these reasons, students choosing to pursue the thesis should complete a DMP enrollment form in the spring semester of their third year.

Requirements for Minor

A Minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) requires the completion of six courses (18 credits). At least four of these courses must be at the 3000 level or above. All WGS Minors must complete the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender Studies
  2. Either WGS 3810 Feminist Theory or WGS 3800 Queer Theory
  3. Either WGS 3820 Feminist Methodologies or WGS 4050 Senior Seminar
  4. One WGS course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives.

The completion of WGS 3810 or WGS 3800 is a prerequisite for admission to WGS 4050. A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the Minor. Courses counting toward the WGS Minor may include one course designated as an adjunct course. An adjunct course is one in which gender is a significant focus, but the central focus is not on women or gender.

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Karlin Luedtke, Director of Undergradute Programs, Women, Gender and Sexuality, P.O. Box 400172, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4172; (434) 982-2961; kl5k@virginia.edu; www.virginia.edu/womenstudies

Course Descriptions

Each semester the Women, Gender and Sexuality program produces a list of primary and adjunct courses that count toward the Major and Minor, including those designated as satisfying the Global Perspective requirement. For an up-to-date listing of non-SWAG courses, see our website at: http://www.virginia.edu/womenstudies/courses.htm