Women's Studies

major

Women’s Studies explores how gender affects people’s lives and how it connects with other social systems such as race, class, and sexuality. The program draws on interdisciplinary scholarship to deepen students’ critical thinking, analytical skills, and practice. Students take courses taught by award-winning faculty in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and may take approved courses offered in departments across the university as electives. Students are encouraged to pursue opportunities in experiential learning through internships and mentored research.

About this Program

  • College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
  •      Concentrations: General Concentration | Health Equity and Social Justice | International Perspectives on Gender | Race, Power, and Social Justice | Theories and Politics of Sexuality
  • Credits for Degree: 120
  • More info

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies offers academic programs, grants graduate and undergraduate degrees, and advances research in the discipline. Faculty in the department successfully compete for national fellowships and grants, win research and teaching awards, and produce rigorous and transformative research.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.3365 (tel) | 352.392.4873 (fax)

P.O. Box 117352
200 USTLER HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7352
Map

 Curriculum

Students may elect to follow the general concentration in the major or choose one of the optional specialized concentrations: Health Equity and Social Justice; International Perspectives on Gender; Race, Power, and Social Justice; or Theories and Politics of Sexuality. Minors are available in Women's Studies, Theories and Politics of Sexuality, and Health Disparities in Society. All the courses of study offer a rigorous academic curriculum, along with exciting experiential learning opportunities. The major culminates in an independent capstone project.

Women’s Studies majors complete their degrees ready to make competitive applications to graduate and professional school, or to pursue careers in a wide variety of fields, including education, journalism, community activism, arts and entertainment, international relations, law, and health professions. Students should refer to the department website or contact the Women's Studies undergraduate coordinator for a complete course listing.
More Info

Coursework for the Major

The major requires 30 credits of coursework in Women's Studies core and elective courses, at least 24 credits of which must be at the 3000/4000 level. All 30 credits must be completed with minimum grades of C. Students have the option to take elective courses from a variety of departments in addition to those classes offered under the WST prefix designation.

Students are encouraged to fulfill some of the requirements with appropriate study-abroad courses and may petition the program to count courses outside of WST toward the major if they have significant (greater than 50 percent) gender, sexuality, and women’s studies content. Students should use the approved plan of study worksheets to plan and track their progress through the degree. Many courses offered in other departments are approved for Women's Studies credit and a semester-by-semester list of them is maintained on the program’s website.
More Info

Required Coursework

A minimum of 18 credits for the major must be taken at UF. A minimum of 24 credits for the major must be at the 3000-level or above.

WST 3015Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Women's Studies3
WST 4935Capstone Seminar 13
Major Core Category A: Race (select one):3
Black Feminist and Womanist Theory
Gender, Race and Science
History of American Medicine: Race, Class, Gender, and Science
Data Feminisms
Latinx Sexualities
Other approved courses designated in this category 2
Major Core Category B: Sexualities (select one:)3
Humanities Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
Social Science Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
Sexualities Studies
Sexual Ethics
Latinx Sexualities
LGBTQ+ Movements and Critiques
Queer Theory
Other approved courses designated in this category 2
Major Core Category C: Transnational (select one:)3
Violence Against Women
Women, Leadership & Diversity in the Global Environment
Transnational Feminism
Gender and Food Politics
Ecofeminism
Gender, Culture, and Place
Other approved courses designated in this category 2
Total Credits15
1

Prereq.: WST 3015

2

Other WST courses and approved gender, sexuality, and women's studies-related courses from other departments.

Combination Degree Programs

Women's Studies is a vibrant discipline that contributes to and is informed by multiple disciplines and fields of study. The undergraduate and masters level programs provide general training in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and specific training in analysis of gender and how it connects with other social systems such as race, class, and sexualities. The combination BA/MA degree offers a useful program for well-qualified students who may want to pursue further studies in a PhD program or pursue careers in a variety of fields such as social service, law, art, health, business, education, policy planning, government and nongovernment organizations, and international development. This accelerated program allows students to complete both the BA and the MA in 5 years, rather than the typical 6 years if done separately. The BA/MA program provides advanced training in research and analytic skills, which will be helpful for future employment and/or doctoral studies.
More info

Concentrations

General Concentration

Students in the general concentration tailor their coursework for maximum exposure to the various issues covered by Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies scholarship.

Students will take:

  1. 15 credits of core requirements comprising WST 3015, one Category A (Race) core course, one Category B (Sexualities) core course, one Category C (Transnational) core course, and WST 4935.
  2. 15 credits from an approved list of electives available on the program’s website, updated each semester.

Note:

  • Elective credits may include up to 6 credits of experiential learning such as internship, undergraduate research, independent study, or honors thesis
  • Elective credits may come from courses with the WST prefix or approved courses from other programs
  • At least 24 of the required 30 credits for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher
  • If the student takes 6 credits at the 2000-level or lower, at least three of the credits must have a WST prefix

Health Equity and Social Justice | HESJ

This concentration emphasizes scholarly ways of theorizing how gender functions with other social systems to influence health and how addressing social inequalities can promote health equity.

Students will take:

  1. 15 credits of core requirements comprising WST 3015, one Category A (Race) core course, one Category B (Sexualities) core course, one Category C (Transnational) core course, and WST 4935.
  2. 9 credits of approved HESJ electives from an approved list of electives available on the program’s website, updated each semester.
  3. 6 additional credits of approved WST electives which may or may not carry the HESJ designation

Note:

  • Elective credits may include up to 6 credits of experiential learning such as internship, undergraduate research, independent study, or honors thesis
  • Elective credits may come from courses with the WST prefix or approved courses from other programs
  • At least 24 of the required 30 credits for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher
  • If the student takes 6 credits at the 2000-level or lower, at least three of the credits must have a WST prefix

International Perspectives on Gender | IPG

This concentration emphasizes scholarly ways of theorizing experiences of people around the globe, with a transnational perspective on gender, race, nation, sexuality, and power.

Students will take:

  1. 15 credits of core requirements comprising WST 3015, one Category A (Race) core course, one Category B (Sexualities) core course, one Category C (Transnational) core course, and WST 4935.
  2. 9 credits of approved IPG electives (3 of which can also fulfill Core Category C requirement) from an approved list of electives available on the program’s website, updated each semester.
  3. 6 additional credits of approved WST electives which may or may not carry the IPG designation (OR 9 additional credits if one of the courses taken to fulfill #1 also fulfills #2 above); total credits for the major must add up to 30

Note:

  • Elective credits may include up to 6 credits of experiential learning such as internship, undergraduate research, independent study, or honors thesis
  • Elective credits may come from courses with the WST prefix or approved courses from other programs
  • At least 24 of the required 30 credits for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher
  • If the student takes 6 credits at the 2000-level or lower, at least three of the credits must have a WST prefix

Race, Power, and Social Justice | RPSJ

This concentration emphasizes scholarly ways of theorizing race and its significance in social organization and culture as it intersects with other social systems.

Students will take:

  1. 15 credits of core requirements comprising WST 3015, one Category A (Race) core course, one Category B (Sexualities) core course, one Category C (Transnational) core course, and WST 4935.
  2. 9 credits of approved RPSJ electives (3 of which can also fulfill Core Category A requirement) from an approved list of RPSJ electives available on the program’s website, updated each semester.
  3. 6 additional credits of approved WST electives which may or may not carry the RPSJ designation (OR 9 additional credits if one of the courses taken to fulfill #1 also fulfills #2 above); total credits for the major must add up to 30

Note:

  • Elective credits may include up to 6 credits of experiential learning such as internship, undergraduate research, independent study, or honors thesis
  • Elective credits may come from courses with the WST prefix or approved courses from other programs
  • At least 24 of the required 30 credits for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher
  • If the student takes 6 credits at the 2000-level or lower, at least three of the credits must have a WST prefix

Theories and Politics of Sexuality | TPS

This concentration emphasizes scholarly ways of theorizing sex, sexual identities, and the significance of sexualities in social organization and culture as they intersect with other social systems.

Students will take:

  1. 15 credits of core requirements comprising WST 3015, one Category A (Race) core course, one Category B (Sexualities) core course, one Category C (Transnational) core course, and WST 4935.
  2. 9 credits of approved TPS electives (3 of which can also fulfill Core Category B requirement) from an approved list of electives available on the program’s website, updated each semester.
  3. 6 additional credits of approved WST electives which may or may not carry the TPS designation (OR 9 additional credits if one of the courses taken to fulfill #1 also fulfills #2 above); total credits for the major must add up to 30

Note:

  • Elective credits may include up to 6 credits of experiential learning such as internship, undergraduate research, independent study, or honors thesis
  • Elective credits may come from courses with the WST prefix or approved courses from other programs
  • At least 24 of the required 30 credits for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher
  • If the student takes 6 credits at the 2000-level or lower, at least three of the credits must have a WST prefix

Course Details

All students, regardless of concentration, take 15 credits of required coursework:

  • WST 3015 draws on various materials and methodologies to explore the social construction of women and gender as they intersect with other forms of power; 3 credits.
  • One course from each major core category: Category A (Race), Category B (Sexualities), and Category C (Transnational); 9 credits total.
  • WST 4935 is taken in the final year and allows students to reflect on their experience in the major and carry their interests forward through structured independent research tied to their scholarly or career interests; 3 credits.

All students also take 15 credits of electives. Students should check the specialization descriptions to see guidelines for selecting elective courses.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Women's Studies is a flexible major without a specific gateway course or prerequisites for most upper-division courses. All courses with the WST prefix can count toward the major; additionally, the major counts some gender- and sexuality-related courses from other programs as well. Two 2000-level courses can count toward the major; however, at least one of those courses must have the WST prefix. Check the program’s website for a semester-specific listing of approved courses. 
More Info

Students should:

  • Maintain a 2.0 overall UF GPA and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • Complete four Women’s Studies courses by the fifth semester; at least two of them must be 3000-level or above. WST 3015 is required (WST 2611 or WST 2612 can allow progression to semester 6, if necessary); students should take WST 3015 by semester 4.
  • Completing at least one Category A, B, or C class by semester 5 is highly recommended.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete one Women's Studies course
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 4

  • Complete 1 additional Women's Studies course (WST 3015 recommended) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 5

  • Complete 2 additional Women's Studies courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA. One class must be WST 3015 if not taken yet; WST 2611 or WST 2612 could also allow progress to semester 6 (recommendation: at least one Category A, B, or C class if not taken yet). At least two of the four courses taken to date for the major must be at the 3000 level or higher.
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 6

  • Complete 2 additional Women's Studies courses at the 3000 or 4000 level; at least one class must be WST 3015 if not taken yet (recommendations: at least one Category A, B, or C class if not taken yet). At least four of the six courses taken to date for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher.
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 7

  • Complete 2 additional Women's Studies courses at the 3000 or 4000 level (recommendations: at least one Category A, B, or C class if not taken yet, WST 4935 this semester or next). At least six of the eight courses taken to date for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher.
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 8

  • Complete 2 additional Women's Studies courses at the 3000 level at least one Category A, B, or C class if not taken yet, WST 4935 if not taken yet. At least eight of the ten courses taken to date for the major must be at the 3000-level or higher.
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically Quest 1 or 2), although some Women’s Studies courses also carry these designations. CLAS requires all students to take 18 credits of electives at the 3000-level or higher outside the major. Therefore, Women's Studies and gender-related courses that count toward your major may not also count towards the CLAS 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 4-5
 Credits13-14
Semester Two
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
Natural Science Laboratory 1
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3-5
Electives 6
 Credits13-15
Semester Three
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
WST-approved course (Critical Tracking; 2000 level or above) 3
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) 3
Electives 6
 Credits18
Semester Four
WST 3015 (Gen Ed Humanities and Diversity or Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity) is recommended; or Category A, B, or C course; or other approved WST elective (Critical Tracking) 3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area not taken in semester two) 2 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
WST 3015 (Gen Ed Humanities and Diversity or Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity (Critical Tracking; if not taken previously) or Category A, B, or C course; or other approved WST elective 1 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
WST-approved course (Critical Tracking, 3000-level or above) 3
Elective 3
Reminder: only 6 credits of 2000-level courses or below can be applied to the major.
 Credits15
Semester Six
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
WST courses (Critical Tracking;Category A, B, or C course; or other approved WST elective) 6
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) 3
Reminder: only 6 credits of 2000-level courses or below can be applied to the major.
 Credits15
Semester Seven
WST-approved courses Critical Tracking; one course can be WST 4935) 6
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 6
Electives 4
Reminder: only 6 credits of 2000-level courses or below can be applied to the major.
 Credits16
Semester Eight
WST-approved courses (Critical Tracking; one course must be WST 4935 if not yet taken) 6
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
Reminder: only 6 credits of 2000-level courses or below can be applied to the major.
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

Recommended; or Category A, B, or C course; or other approved WST elective. 

2

One General Education option taken this term must be a Quest 2 course.


The Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies provides knowledge of the core concepts of the interdisciplinary fields of gender and women's studies. It offers insights into gender's role in shaping human experience in US and international contexts. Students will learn the theories behind gender and women's studies and how to interpret texts in light of those theories. They will also learn the field's research methods and they will demonstrate the ability to communicate critical perspectives in the field.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Satisfactorily complete an internship with an outside agency, a service learning course or a research-based project submitted for evaluation to core or affiliated women's studies faculty. Assessment will be based on SLOs 1-3.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify the terminology and concepts central to the interdisciplinary field of gender and women’s students.

Critical Thinking

  1. Examine and interpret material using the theory and research methods of gender and women’s studies and apply these ideas to current social issues.

Communication

  1. Present ideas concerning gender and women’s studies in spoken and written form.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3
WST 3015 I I I
WST 3415 R R R
WST 4935 R R R
WST 4940 R R R
Internship, Service Learning, or Research Project A A A

Assessment Types

  • Entering and final essays
  • Internship, service learning, or research project