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Concentration in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality

The study of gender and sexuality has long constituted a vibrant and engaging field for interdisciplinary work and intellectual inquiry. At the heart of this field is the assertion that gender and sexuality are fundamental categories of social organization and power that are inseparable from race, ethnicity, class, nationality, and other categories of difference. Some of the areas of study that fall within this concentration's purview include women's history, lesbian/gay/bisexual studies, gender and science, the representation of gender and sexuality in literature and film, women and work, masculinity studies, political and social movements, queer and feminist theory, transnational feminisms, women and poverty, transgender studies, and gender and religion.

WGS provides students with a rigorous grounding in the theory and methodology of gender and sexuality studies, while encouraging students to develop individual areas of focus that will culminate in a thesis project. All concentrators are required to take Sophomore Tutorial (WGS 97) to familiarize them with foundational texts about sexuality and gender. In Junior Tutorial (WGS 98r) concentrators work one-on-one with a tutor on a specific area of interest, with a view to laying the groundwork for their senior theses. In Senior Tutorial (WGS 99a/b) students design, research and write senior theses. Senior theses for all concentrators (including joint concentrators) must feature a WGS-related topic. In keeping with the interdisciplinary character of WGS, senior theses may draw upon a wide range of approaches, including literary analysis, ethnography, scientific investigation, archival research, visual analysis, and cultural or political critique. Seniors also take an oral examination that covers both the senior thesis and general knowledge of the field.

In addition to the tutorial sequence, full concentrators must enroll in WGS 1300 (methodology) and one of the two other foundational courses: WGS 1200 (historical approaches) or WGS 1210 (theories of gender and sexuality). In addition to WGS courses, concentrators may fulfill concentration requirements by taking courses on WGS-related topics in other programs and departments. (A list of pre-approved courses from other departments is available on the WGS website.) Students will work with concentration advisers to develop cohesive plans of study that are primarily situated within the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences.

Beginning with the class of 2010, students will apply for admission to WGS in the fall of sophomore year. Students may also apply in the spring of the sophomore year or at the beginning of the junior year by submitting a written statement explaining their interest in the program. The Director or Assistant Director of Studies will review applicants' previous academic records and may also elect to interview students before admission to the program. Application materials are available in the WGS main office and in the link above.

Students can do a joint concentration with WGS and a range of other concentrations including African and African American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, English, Environmental Science and Public Policy, Government, History, History and Literature, History and Science, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Romance Languages, Social Studies, Sociology, and Visual and Environmental Studies. Specific guidelines for required courses may be obtained from the Directors of Studies.

Students may also complete a secondary field in WGS (see the section on Secondary Field Information for more details). The secondary field allows students to pursue an interest in studies of women, gender and sexuality outside of their work for their concentrations. Students must take one foundational course (WGS 1000, 1200, 1210 or 1300), which will ground them in the history, methodology or theory of gender and sexuality studies. The flexibility of the four remaining course requirements allows students to sample from the rich course offerings in WGS while developing core areas of interest.

We advise first year students and sophomores interested in WGS to take either WGS 1000: Introduction to Women, Gender and Sexuality, or a topical course of their interest within the 1100-level. Students interested in WGS as a concentration or a secondary field should meet with either the Director of Studies or the Assistant Director of Studies.