BA in Interdisciplinary with Emphasis in Women's and Gender Studies

Degree Program Description

Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field that establishes gender, sexuality, race, class, and dis/ability as fundamental categories for understanding social structures, cultural norms, and power dynamics. Combining research methods from the humanities and social sciences, the WGST major strengthens critical thinking, writing and research skills; highlights multiple forms of knowledge; and encourages students to think of themselves and others as citizens of a diverse world. WGST scholars produce a wide-variety of analytical, creative, and activist works, investigating intersecting forms of inequalities and oppression's in local and global contexts.

When students graduate with a emphasis in Women's and Gender Studies, they should be able to:

• Apply cross-cultural and global awareness to "big questions" about gender
• Have a comprehensive grasp of intersectionality and matrices of power
• Think critically: i.e. consider an issue from multiple perspectives; locate, evaluate and interpret diverse sources; engage in critical self-reflection
• Construct arguments with evidence obtained from research
• Work collaboratively
• Recognize sexist/racist writing and thinking
• Connect knowledge and experience, theory and activism, Women's and Gender Studies materials with other courses
• Communicate effectively in writing and speech
• Apply knowledge for social transformation, citizenship
• Use gender (and other identity categories) as a category or categories of analysis

Major Program Requirements

This major can be combined with other programs to create a double major or a dual degree. Within the College of Arts and Science, students can pair it with a major like BA in English, Sociology, Psychology or History, for example, without taking courses beyond the required 120 credits. Students seeking a Bachelor Degree in Journalism or a Public Health degree can earn a second degree, a BA in Interdisciplinary with Emphasis in Women’s and Gender Studies. Required WGST courses for many dual degrees also fit within the 120 credit graduation plan, although 132 total credits are generally required for a dual degree.

The curriculum includes Women's and Gender Studies core courses as well as cross-listed courses from several departments throughout the University. 

Thirty hours are required in Women’s and Gender Studies. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Required Core Courses		9
WGST 2020	Feminist Theory	3
WGST 4990	Research Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies	3
WGST 3450W	Feminist Methodologies - Writing Intensive	3
4940 Internship can be substituted for 4990 Seminar
Additional courses		21
An additional 21 credits (WGST or cross-listed courses) are required. A minimum of 12 credits must come from WGST core courses (courses taught by WGST faculty and instructors), in addition, 9 credits must be 3000 level or higher. See the WGST website for current course offerings.

Semester Plan

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ENGLSH 1000	3	WGST major course	3
Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science	3	Math and Quantitative Reasoning	3
Second Language Requirement	4	Second Language Requirement	4
WGST Major Course	3	First Writing Intensive	3
Behavioral Science	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3
	16		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
WGST major course	3	WGST 2020	3
Second Language Requirement	4	Biological or Physical Science Lab	3
Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science	3	Humanities	3
Social Science, 2000+ level	3	Arts and Science Diversity Requirement	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3	Behavioral Science, 2000+ level	3
	16		15
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
WGST 3450W	3	WGST Major Course	3
WGST Major Course	3	Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science	3
Humanities from Arts and Science	3	Humanities, 2000+ level	3
Social Science	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
WGST Major Course	3	WGST 4990 (or 4940 Internship)	3
WGST Major Course	3	Humanities	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	3
	15		12
Total Credits: 120

Contact

Department of Women's and Gender Studies
muaswgst@missouri.edu
325 Strickland Hall
(573) 882-2703