Curriculum

Undergraduate Studies

Women’s and Gender Studies is an inter-disciplinary/transdisciplinary program that offers the opportunity for feminist study, research, and community involvement through the perspective of the female experience. The central concept of gender as a social construction enables students to explore and question categories of knowledge. At each level of study the curriculum emphasizes race, ethnicity, nationality, class, age, sexuality, and different abilities as categories of analysis. This program provides a major leading to a B.A. degree in Women's and Gender Studies.

Major Requirements

The B.A. in Women's and Gender Studies requires a minimum of 33 credits (at least 18 in courses numbered 300 and above) selected from courses listed in the undergraduate course catalogue. Although the major is granted and administered under the auspices of the College of Arts and Sciences, students are able, and in some cases encouraged, to take elective courses in the professional schools. Requirements for the major include four core courses (WSP 101, 201, 301 and 310), and one senior seminar (WSP 410); three courses from the course grouping Power, Privilege, and Exclusion in Feminist Thought; and three electives selected from a list of approved cross-listed courses – at least one course from the social sciences and one from the humanities. In the senior year, majors complete a independent project that can be a research project, creative work, or activism project.

Minor Requirements

The minor in Women's and Gender Studies requires 21 credits of coursework (at least 15 in courses numbered 300 and above). In keeping with the guidelines for the major, the concentration requires the students to take the four core courses (WSP 101, 201, 301, and 310) and three electives chosen from an approved list of cross-listed courses.

Undergraduate Connections

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Graduate Studies Program

Certificate of Advanced Studies in Women's and Gender Studies (C.A.S.)

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Women's and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers the opportunity for study and research with faculty from a wide range of schools and departments. Certificates of Advanced Studies are awarded to matriculated master’s degree or doctoral students who have completed a minimum of 12 credits of graduate courses in Women's and Gender Studies. The 12 credits of coursework must come from two or more departments or schools. Three credits must be taken in feminist theory. Students in certain programs may be required to take more than 12 credits of coursework as specified by departmental requirements.

Certificate of Recognition for Thesis and Dissertation

Certificates of Recognition are awarded to master's degree and doctoral students who have produced a thesis or dissertation in feminist studies. To apply for certification the candidate must submit a petition listing the title and abstract of the thesis or dissertation, the defense date, and the advisor.

Admissions

Admission for graduate certification in Women's and Gender Studies involves (a) completion of the Women's and Gender Studies Application for C.A.S., at least one semester before receiving degree (student must be a matriculated masters student or doctoral student at Syracuse University); (b) completion of the Graduate School Internal Admission Application; (c) conference with a Women's and Gender Studies Program advisor ; and (c) approval of each student's program by the Director of Women's and Gender Studies. For more information contact Syracuse University Graduate School.

Requirements

Matriculated master's or doctoral students must take a minimum of 12 credits of graduate courses cross-listed as WSP courses or approved by the director of the Women's and Gender Studies Program. At least one course (3 credits) must be a theory course, such as:

• WGS 601 Feminist Theory
• WGS 740 Feminist Ways of Knowing
• WGS 757 Black Feminist Theories
• WGS 795 the Practice of Transnational Feminism

The 12 credits of coursework must come from two or more departments or schools. Students in certain programs may be required to take more than 12 credits of coursework as specified by department requirements.