Majors & Minors
Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies
Major, Minor
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program rich with opportunities for research and critical analysis. It examines and challenges assumptions and constructs about gender that affect people's lives around the globe.
A central goal of the program is to help students become aware of unexamined assumptions and stereotypes about sexual and gender differences, and how they shape human organizations and institutions. Many courses also introduce students to differences of class, race, ethnic and sexual orientation in a range of societies.
Other learning opportunities
To develop students' knowledge of and ability to analyze organizations that deal with gender and women's issues, a one-term internship at a designated organization is recommended. Students have interned with local social services, law and media centers, childcare centers, gay and lesbian groups, women's advocacy groups and healthcare providers.
Students gain a global perspective of this academic discipline through several international programs, including a three-week mini-term focused on social movements in Argentina, which features meetings with women's activists and political leaders. A term abroad in São Paulo, Brazil, explores women, environment and social change.
A sampling of courses
Introduction to Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
An interdisciplinary introduction to feminist scholarship on gender, women and sexuality. The course is broad in scope and covers topics in feminist theory, the social construction of gender and issues affecting women’s, men’s and others’ lives.
Capstone Course on Theories of Gender, Sexuality and Women
A required interdisciplinary course designed as the culmination of the major or minor. The topic of the capstone course varies from year to year; past topics have covered women’s rights in the United States and feminist film.
Internship in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
An internship at a local service agency, women’s advocacy group, childcare center or other organization. The goal is to develop students’ knowledge of groups that work on issues related to gender and sexuality in the Capital Region.
After Union
Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies provides a foundation of knowledge that prepares students for careers in business, education, journalism, law, politics and public policy.
Here is what some of our alumni have been up to:
- Specialist, Save the Children
- Public Defender, Franklin County (N.Y.).
- Commercial litigation associate, Day Pitney LPP
- Tour consultant, ACIS Educational Tours
