College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Department of Gender and Women's Studies
109 Morris Hall
507-389-2077

 

Gender and Women's Studies  MS/MA 

 

Program Description
The graduate program in Gender and Women's Studies prepares students for careers in non-profits, activism, and advocacy, or for further graduate study. Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary field examining the social construction of gender and sexuality and the intersections of all forms of oppression. The graduate program examines feminist theory and activism and helps students develop skills to bridge the two. The graduate program in Gender & Women's Studies offers both Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees.

Departmental faculty areas of interest include feminist theory, violence against women, gender and law, women's and girls' history, history of sexuality, LGBT/queer studies, feminism & mothering, African Diaspora, Caribbean women writers, and feminist pedagogy.
Admission
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, a background in Women's and/or Gender Studies coursework, or experience in community-based women's programs or organizations, is required.

Financial Assistance
All applicants are encouraged to seek university sources of financial assistance through application to the Office of Financial Aid. See Sources of Financial Assistance at the front of the Bulletin. Graduate assistantships are available in the Department of Women's Studies, the Women's Center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Student Heath Services, and other campus offices. Second-year students in the program who meet requirements may qualify for teaching opportunities in Gender & Women's Studies.

Women's Studies MS
(Thesis Plan - 30 credits); (Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits)

Major Common Core

GWS 600 Collective Action and Analysis 3
GWS 610 Graduate Seminar 3
GWS 620 Feminist Research 3
GWS 630 Global Feminisms: Theory & Practice 3
GWS 640 Feminist Theories 3

GWS 694 Alternate Plan Paper 1-2
GWS 699 Thesis 3-6

Major Restricted Electives

Internship
Choose 3 credit(s):
Select a minimum of 3 cr from the following
GWS 697 Internship 1-6
GWS 698 Internship 1-6

General Electives

Choose 3 credit(s):
Select a minimum of 3 cr from the following. Any other 3-cr course at the 500- or 600-level may be substituted. See your advisor.
ANTH 533 *Anthropology of Gender 3
CMST 503 Gender and Communication 3
CORR 520 Identity Work in Women's Reentry Experiences 3
CORR 544 Women in the Criminal Justice System 3
CSP 670 Issues in Counseling Women 3
EDLD 653 Women in Leadership 3
ENG 612 Seminar: Gender in Literature 3
ETHN 570 Women of Color 3
GWS 540 Feminist Pedagogy 3
GWS 555 Politics of Sexuality 3
HIST 508 History of Women in Preindustrial Europe 4
HIST 587 United States Women's History 4
HLTH 500 Women's Health 3
NPL 673 Nonprofit Management and Leadership 3
PHIL 545 Feminist Philosophy 3
POL 524 Women & Politics 3
PSYC 560 Psychology of Women 3
SOC 509 Family Violence 3
SOC 520 Identity Work in Women's Reentry Experiences 3
SOWK 520 Women's Issues in Social Work 3
SOWK 527 Social Work and Domestic Violence 3

Gender & Women's Studies MA
(Thesis Plan - 30 credits); (Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits)

Major Common Core
GWS 540 Feminist Pedagogy 3
GWS 600 Collective Action and Analysis 3
GWS 610 Graduate Seminar 3
GWS 620 Feminist Research 3
GWS 630 Global Feminisms: Theory & Practice 3
GWS 640 Feminist Theories 3

GWS 694 Alternate Plan Paper (1-2) OR
GWS 699 Thesis 3-6

Major Restricted Electives
Required Elective
Choose 3 credit(s):
Select a minimum of 3 cr from the following
ART 519 Gender in Art 3
CMST 503 Gender and Communication 3
ENG 612 Seminar: Gender in Literature 3
ETHN 570 Women of Color 3
GWS 555 Politics of Sexuality 3
HIST 508 History of Women in Preindustrial Europe 4
HIST 587 United States Women's History 4
PHIL 545 Feminist Philosophy 3

Electives
Choose 1-9 credit(s)

Optional, not required
GWS 677 Individual Study 1-6
GWS 697 Internship 1-6
GWS 698 Internship 1-6

Additional Requirements
MA students are encouraged to take a 500 or 600 level course in the College of Arts & Humanities. Please consult with your advisor.
Electronic portfolios are required of all students. Students submit portfolios at the end of their second semester of coursework and before writing their thesis or alternate plan paper. For further details, see Departmental Graduate Handbook.

Graduate Certificate
The Gender & Women's Studies graduate certificate is available to those currently pursuing a graduate degree or who already have a graduate degree. The program is also intended for post-baccalaureate working professionals. Students seeking a graduate certificate must possess a bachelor's degree. Previous course work in Gender & Women's Studies is preferred but not required.

The Graduate Certificate in Gender & Women's Studies offers students learning opportunities in the following areas:
Theory that connects race, class, gender sexuality, and other identity categories.
Knowledge of the strategies and tactics the feminist movement has employed to create social change.
Communication skills, both oral and written.
Historical and philosophical dimensions of gender & women's studies as a movement and a discipline.
The certificate program requires that students maintain a B average and complete 9 credits of 600-level courses in Gender & Women’s Studies plus one 3-credit elective course at the 500 or 600 level.
 

Course Descriptions

WOST 540 (3) Feminist Pedagogy

We explore the key philosophical and methodological issues in feminist pedagogy with an emphasis on application of the material learned. In addition to readings, discussions, and lectures, students develop a teaching philosophy, design a course, write a syllabus, prepare a lesson plan, teach a session, design evaluations, and develop a curriculum vitae.

WOST 555 (3) Politics of Sexuality

This course explores the interconnections between sex, gender, and sexuality with special attention to how institutions and communities shape experience and identity.

WOST 560 (1-4) Selected Topics

Topics vary as announced in the class schedule.

WOST 590 (1-4 ) Workshop

Topics vary as announced in the class schedule.

WOST 600 (3) Collective Action and Analysis

This course examines historical, cultural, theoretical, and strategic aspects of struggle for social justice, with special attention to women’s activism.

WOST 605 (3) Foundations of Women's Studies

Overview and analysis of the theoretical, methodological, and activist foundations of Women's Studies as a discipline.

WOST 610 (3) Graduate Seminar

Advanced topics in women's and gender studies.

WOST 620 (3) Feminist Research

We explore theoretical and epistemological issues in feminist research, as well as developing the practical skills needed to conduct our own research.

WOST 630 (3) Global Feminisms: Theory & Practice

This course will address critical issues facing women in "developing" countries in the context of an increasingly globalized order. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with global issues/global feminist theory.

WOST 640 (3) Feminist Theories

This course explores major theories of feminism.

WOST 677 (1-6) Individual Study

Concentrated study and research in areas of student's special interests/ expertise under supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in WOST and have permission of the instructor

WOST 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper

Preparation of an alternate plan paper under supervision of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in WORST.

WOST 697 (1-6) Internship (College Teaching)

Students assist a faculty member in teaching Women's Studies 110 or 220. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in WOST

WOST 698 (1-6) Internship Community

Placement in a community or university-based internship provides the student with experience and practical skills in a particular field of work or service and/or provides an opportunity to pursue a specific research interest. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in WOST

WOST 699 (3-6) Thesis

Preparation of a thesis under supervision of the student's graduate advisory committee. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in WOST