Gender and Women's Studies

Undergraduate Programs

Description

The Gender & Women’s Studies program familiarizes students with interdisciplinary feminist perspectives through coursework, internships, research, and activism. Students learn to examine the historical, social, psychological, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of gender, while gaining a more complex understanding of the construction of gender and its intersection with other categories of difference, power, and inequality. By understanding how interlocking systems of oppression and privilege function locally and internationally, students will be better situated to apply their critical thinking skills as they work toward social justice in a global society. The department supports a variety of opportunities for personal and professional development, including a student club and honor society, community and teaching internships, workshops, and cultural events. Students are encouraged to take leadership roles in the development of special programs and to become active in community and campus-based activist groups, applying feminist theory to the practice of empowering women and creating social change.

Accelerated Combined Degree (BA/BS and MA/MS). Students interested in receiving both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in GWS at Minnesota State Mankato, may apply to the Department for admission into the Combined Degree Program. Interested majors may apply upon the completion of 60 credits if they have a minimum GPA of 3.0. If accepted, students will work with an advisor to design an accelerated program in which up to 12 credits of 500-level courses can be applied to both their undergraduate and graduate programs. If accepted, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and a 3.0 in the major the to continue in the program. Interested students should contact the Department for more information.

Majors

 Program Locations Major / Total Credits
Gender and Women's Studies BA BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • Mankato
 40 / 120
Gender and Women's Studies BS BS - Bachelor of Science
  • Mankato
 32 / 120

Minors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Gender and Women's Studies Minor
  • Mankato
 21
Sexuality Studies Minor 20

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission to Major is granted by the department. 

GPA Policy. A grade of “C-” or better must be earned in all Gender and Women’s Studies courses.

P/N Grading Policy. With the exception of workshops and internships, only two classes may be taken on a P/NC basis.

Accelerated Combined Degree (BA/BS and MA/MS). Students interested in receiving both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in GWS at MSU, may apply to the Department for admission into the Accelerated Graduate Program. Interested majors may apply upon the completion of 60 credits if they have a minimum GPA of 3.0. If accepted, students will work with an advisor to design an accelerated program in which up to 12 credits of 500-level courses can be applied to both their undergraduate and graduate programs. If accepted, students must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.0 in the major the to continue in the program. Interested students should contact the Department for more information. 

Contact Information

109 Morris Hall

Main Office (507) 389-2077
mnsu.edu/women

Faculty

Chair
  • Laura Harrison, Ph.D.
Faculty

100 Level

Credits: 4

This course familiarizes students with the field of Gender and Women's Studies. It focuses on major questions and approaches to understanding gender alongside race, class, and sexuality, among other identity categories.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

This course familiarizes students with the field of Gender and Women's Studies. It focuses on major questions and approaches to understanding gender alongside race, class, and sexuality, among other identity categories.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

Students will examine the gendered and systematic nature of violence. Special attention will be given to the ways in which violence against women is perpetuated through interpersonal relationships and through institutions such as schools, the judicial system, welfare policies. The effects of internalized oppressions, such as internalized sexism, racism, and homophobia will be discussed. Emphasis on feminist analysis and building skills for educating ourselves and others about constructing non-violent cultures.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

Students will examine the gendered and systematic nature of violence. Special attention will be given to the ways in which violence against women is perpetuated through interpersonal relationships and through institutions such as schools, the judicial system, welfare policies. The effects of internalized oppressions, such as internalized sexism, racism, and homophobia will be discussed. Emphasis on feminist analysis and building skills for educating ourselves and others about constructing non-violent cultures.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

200 Level

Credits: 4

This course will examine women's lives and activism, past and present, throughout the world. We will explore and evaluate individual and collective efforts to achieve social justice in the context of interlocking systems of oppression. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

This course will examine women's lives and activism, past and present, throughout the world. We will explore and evaluate individual and collective efforts to achieve social justice in the context of interlocking systems of oppression. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

We explore the influence of gender on legal rights in the United States historically and today, focusing on constitutional rights, employment, education, reproduction, the family, gender-based violence, and related issues. We will study constitutional and statutory law as well as public policy. Race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and additional intersecting identities will be examined.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

An introduction to the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and identities, including challenges to homophobia and heterosexism. We will explore social and historical constructions of LGBT identities as they vary across ethnic, class, and gender lines.Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Credits: 4

An introduction to the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and identities, including challenges to homophobia and heterosexism. We will explore social and historical constructions of LGBT identities as they vary across ethnic, class, and gender lines.Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Credits: 4

Explores how popular culture shapes and mirrors our understandings of gender and sexuality and their intersections with race and class. Critically examines representations of gender and race in popular culture forms such as film, television, music, books, and the internet.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-06

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

In this course, students will learn about health disparities and the social determinants of health in the United States. We will analyze how gender, race, class, ability, and sexuality impact access to health resources (including the environment, food, and medical care) as well as health outcomes. In addition to individual barriers to health, we will analyze how institutions and structural factors impact health in America. Topics may include health disparities by race and ethnicity, barriers to LGBT health care, weight discrimination, reproductive justice, and environmental effects on health.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 1-4

Offered according to student demand and instructor availability/expertise, topics courses provide curriculum enrichment on an ongoing basis.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Concentrated study and research in areas of student's special interests/expertise under supervision of a faculty member. Prereq: Women's Studies major/minor

Prerequisites: Women’s Studies major/minor 

Credits: 1-4

Topics to be announced. May be retaken for credit.

Prerequisites: none

300 Level

Credits: 4

This course will introduce you to major theories of feminism as well as key issues in contemporary feminist thought. Students will have an opportunity to advance their own feminist thinking through engagement with a diversity of theoretical perspectives on gender.Fall

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course examines fundamentals of feminist research and the relationship between theory and practice. Students will engage philosophical and methodological questions about the production of knowledge; learn concrete research skills; and complete individual research/action projects.Spring

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course explores an advanced topic in women's and gender studies.Spring

Prerequisites: GWS 110 or GWS 220 or consent 

400 Level

Credits: 4

Students will learn about the legal, cultural, and political factors that contribute to sexual assault and gendered violence. This course will combine hands-on training in activism from course instructors and community members in the field of sexual assault advocacy, as well as a background in theories of gender and sexual assault. Sexual assault advocates provide confidential services to victims of sexual violence, including hospital and legal advocacy, crisis counseling, and emotional support. Students who satisfactorily complete 40 hours of training will be certified as sexual assault advocates at the end of the semester.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 4

Applies sociological theories of identity to the experiences of women being released from prison. Taught at a women's prison in Minnesota, and integrates Minnesota State Mankato students with students drawn from the educational program located within the women's prison.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Credits: 3

We explore key philosophical and methodological issues in feminist teaching with an emphasis on application of the material.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

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

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Offered according to student demand and instructor availability/expertise, topics courses provide curriculum enrichment on an ongoing basis.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Concentrated study and research in areas of student's special interests/expertise under supervision of a faculty member. Prereq: Must be department major/minor

Prerequisites: Must be department major/minor 

Credits: 1-4

Topics to be announced. May be retaken for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Students assist a faculty member in teaching GWS 110 or 220.

Prerequisites: GWS 110 or GWS 220 and consent. 

Credits: 1-6

The Gender and Women's Studies internship provides students with the opportunity to gain experience within an on-campus, off-campus private, public or community organization. This internship provides a means for pursuing an interest in a field of work, or within a particular organization; gaining work and/or activist experience and practical skills; making appropriate contacts which might be useful in establishing a future career.

Prerequisites: none