Dec 26, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2016-2017 
    
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Undergraduate Record 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Women, Gender & Sexuality

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Requirements for Major

A. The basic major in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credits). These must include the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies;
  2. Either WGS 3810 Feminist Theory or WGS 3800 Queer Theory;
  3. Two WGS courses at the 4000 level or above;
  4. One WGS or affiliate course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives;
  5. Two WGS elective courses.

At least seven courses must be at the 3000 level or above. 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 Independent Study courses (which may include one semester of an approved internship). Three courses may be “double-counted” toward a major in WGS and a major in another department; that is, three courses taken for another major can also count toward the WGS major.

B. The major in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) with a concentration in Gender Studies requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credits). These must include the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender & Sexuality Studies;
  2. WGS 3810 Feminist Theory;
  3. Two WGS courses at the 4000 level or above;
  4. One WGS or affiliate course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives;
  5. Two WGS elective courses designated as providing a Gender Focus.

At least seven courses must be at the 3000 level or above. 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 Independent Study courses (which may include one semester of an approved internship). Three courses may be “double-counted” toward a major in WGS and a major in another department; that is, three courses taken for another major can also count toward the WGS major.

C. The major in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) with a concentration in Sexuality Studies requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credits). These must include the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender & Sexuality Studies;
  2. WGS 3800 Queer Theory;
  3. Two WGS courses at the 4000 level or above;
  4. One WGS or affiliate course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives;
  5. Two WGS elective courses designated as providing a Sexuality focus.

At least seven courses must be at the 3000 level or above. 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 Independent Study courses (which may include one semester of an approved internship). Three courses may be “double-counted” toward a major in WGS and 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 35-40 pages in length) in their fourth year under the supervision of a WGS 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 Program is an especially good option for students considering graduate level work in any field.

To be eligible, students must have a 3.40 overall GPA at the start of their fourth year. Students are required to sign up for a 6-credit course, WGS 4998 and 4999, under the supervision of a WGS 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 WGS DMP application form in the spring semester of their third year.

Requirements for Minor

There are three ways to complete a minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality: the basic Women, Gender & Sexuality minor (with no area of concentration), the Women, Gender & Sexuality minor with a concentration in Gender Studies, and the Women, Gender & Sexuality minor with a concentration in Sexuality Studies.

A. The basic minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) requires the completion of 6 courses (18 credits). These must include the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender & Sexuality Studies
  2. Either WGS 3810 Feminist Theory or WGS 3800 Queer Theory
  3. One WGS course at the 4000 level or above
  4. One WGS or affiliate course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives
  5. Two WGS elective courses.

At least four of these courses must be at the 3000 level or above. A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the minor. Courses counting toward the WGS minor may include up to one Independent Study course (which may be an approved internship).

B. The minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) with a concentration in Gender Studies requires the completion of 6 courses (18 credits). These must include the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender & Sexuality Studies
  2. WGS 3810 Feminist Theory
  3. One WGS course at the 4000 level or above
  4. One WGS or affiliate course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives
  5. Two WGS elective courses designated as providing a Gender Focus

At least four of these courses must be at the 3000 level or above. A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the minor. Courses counting toward the WGS minor may include up to one Independent Study course (which may be an approved internship).

C. The minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) with a concentration in Sexuality Studies requires the completion of 6 courses (18 credits). These must include the following required courses:

  1. WGS 2100 Introduction to Gender & Sexuality Studies
  2. WGS 3800 Queer Theory
  3. One WGS course at the 4000 level or above
  4. One WGS or affiliate course designated as concentrating on Global Perspectives
  5. Two WGS elective courses designated as providing a Sexuality focus

At least four of these courses must be at the 3000 level or above.  A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the minor. Courses counting toward the WGS minor may include up to one Independent Study course (which may be an approved internship).

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Director of Undergraduate Programs, Women, Gender and Sexuality, P.O. Box 400172, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4172; (434) 982-2961; www.wgs.virginia.edu.

Course Descriptions

Each semester the Women, Gender and Sexuality program produces a list of courses that count toward the Major and Minor, including those designated as satisfying the Global Perspective, Gender Focus, and Sexuality Focus requirements. For an up-to-date listing of WGS courses, see our website at: http://wgs.virginia.edu/.

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