Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program of study which examines the significance and consequences of gender as a cultural category that shapes the experiences and knowledge of individuals and communities. Women's and Gender Studies is grounded in feminist and gender theories that re-conceptualize and re-contextualize ideas and experiences as well as knowledge and knowledge production. This field of study allows for an in-depth exploration of the sociocultural, economic, and political implications of gender, race, class, ability, sexuality, and power relations - past, present, and cross-culturally.
The goal of the Certificate program is to offer a formal program of study for graduate students who seek to include Women’s and Gender Studies as a specific area of concentration in their graduate or professional studies.
The Certificate Program in Women’s and Gender Studies is flexible and designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time graduate students. The courses required for the certificate include evening, hybrid and online courses.
Those applying to work on the certificate alone must be admitted to the Graduate School and submit an application form and letter of interest to the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. Those applying to complete the certificate as well as a Master's degree in another program should consult with that graduate advisor as well.
The Certificate consists of 15 hours of graduate study from the courses listed below and others as approved by the Graduate Advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Seminars: | ||
| WGST 5860 | Seminar in Feminist Theory | 3 |
| WGST 5900 | Seminar in Women's Studies | 3 |
| WGST 6240 | Research and Methods in Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| Select 6 hours of the following: | 6 | |
| Feminism and U.S. Film | ||
| Women, Gender & Disability | ||
| Queer and Sexuality Theories-WAC | ||
| Special Topics Gender | ||
| Directed Readings in Women's and Gender Studies | ||
| Independent Project in WGST | ||
Other related courses with the approval of the WGST Department Chair | ||
Students will:
1. Examine the sociocultural, economic, and political significance and consequences of gender as a socially constructed category that intersects with other achieved and ascribed statuses such as race, class, ability, religion, etc. to shape the experiences and knowledge of individuals and communities as well as fields of study.
2. Develop foundational knowledge in diverse feminist and gender theories that re-conceptualize and recontextualize ideas, experiences, knowledge and knowledge production.
3. Explore interdisciplinary research, methodologies, praxis, activism, and ethics focused on issues and topics in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies.
4. Develop in-depth knowledge of the schools of feminist thought and praxis most significant to their own disciplinary pursuits.