Students may elect to follow the general concentration in the major or choose one of the specialized concentrations: International Perspectives on Gender 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, and the helping professions. Students should refer to the department website and contact the Women's Studies undergraduate coordinator for a complete course listing.
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Coursework for the Major
The major requires 30 credits of coursework in Women's Studies core and elective courses, at least 27 credits of which must be at the 3000/4000 level. All 30 credits must be completed with minimum grades of C. To ensure a good grasp of the content, theories and methods of Women's Studies scholarship, 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 and/or sexualities content. Because the major is so flexible, 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| WST 3015 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Women's Studies | 3 |
| WST 3415 | Transnational Feminism | 3 |
| WST 4935 | Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Select Approved women's studies and gender-related courses | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
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Prereq.: WST 3015
A minimum of 18 credits for the major must be taken at UF.
Combination Degree Programs
Women's studies is an interdisciplinary field. The undergraduate and masters level programs provide general training in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and specific training in analysis of gender and interlocking systems of oppression including race, class, and sexualities. The combination B.A./M.A. degree offers a useful program for well-qualified students who may want careers in social service, law, business, education, policy planning, government and nongovernment organizations, and international development. Some MA recipients also choose to pursue further studies in a Ph.D. program once they graduate.
This accelerated program allows students to complete both the BA and the MA in 5 years, rather than the typical 6 if done separately. The program provides advanced training in research and analytic skills, which will be helpful for future employment and/or doctoral studies. Undergraduates enrolled in graduate courses will benefit from the more intense level of intellectual engagement involved in graduate training.
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Concentrations
General Concentration
Students in the general concentration tailor their coursework for maximum exposure to the various issues covered by Women's Studies scholarship. In addition to the core requirements, students take nine credits of approved electives focused on humanities, nine credits of approved electives focused on social science, and three credits of a gender and science-focused course or an internship (WST 4940).
International Perspectives on Gender
This concentration emphasizes the experiences of people around the globe, with an eye to achieving a cross-cultural perspective on gender, race, nation, power, sexuality, and the way social and cultural changes impact gender relations. In addition to the core requirements, students must take at least 21 credits from an approved list of IPG electives available on the Women’s Studies website, updated each semester.
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Theories and Politics of Sexuality
This concentration introduces students to new ways of theorizing sex, sexual identities, and the significance of sexualities in social organization as they intersect with race and other systems of power. In addition to taking the three core requirements, students take a required three-credit sexualities course, either ENG 4844 or WST 3603. The remaining 18 credits are drawn from an approved list of TPS electives available on the Women’s Studies website, updated each semester.
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Course Details
The core courses in women’s studies give coherence to the plan of study that individual students devise.
- WST 3015 Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Women’s Studies draws on various materials and methodologies to explore the social construction of gender as it intersects with other forms of power, primarily with a U.S. focus.
- WST 3415 Transnational Feminism introduces theories of gender and social change engendered by women in diverse national and international contexts. Contemporary economic development, reproductive politics, women’s health, and migration are among the examined topics.
- WST 4935 Capstone Seminar 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.
- Students in the Theories and Politics of Sexualities concentration take an additional core course (WST 3603 or ENG 4844) that introduces them to key issues in contemporary Sexualities Studies.