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Women and Gender Studies Minor

In a changing world, an understanding of the complex issues around gender and power is more relevant than ever.

A minor in Women and Gender Studies from UND empowers you to reach your goals and make a difference.

Program type:
Minor
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit hours:
20

Why minor in Women and Gender Studies?

Expertise in gender issues is sought after in most careers, from business to health to education. Women and Gender Studies at the University of North Dakota examines the complex interaction of gender with other elements of human difference, including race, class, religion, ethnicity, age, ability and nationality. Topics of study include:

  • The politics of sexuality
  • Gender and pop culture
  • Women's achievements and their contributions to history and the contemporary world
  • The performance of femininity and masculinity
  • Power dynamics and the effects on the body
  • Sexual minorities and LGBTQ+ identity and experience
  • The influence of gender in the shaping of personal identity, the family and public institutions

What majors pair well with a Women and Gender Studies minor?

Drawing from a broad range of allied disciplines, you'll customize your minor to meet your academic goals. Combining a Women and Gender Studies minor with certain majors can deepen your understanding of gender dynamics and broaden your career opportunities in most fields, from business to health to education. Alternatively, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Women and Gender Studies can provide a comprehensive foundation for addressing gender issues in various contexts. Here are some bachelor's degrees that complement a Women and Gender Studies minor:

  • Sociology Degree: Sociology majors explore social structures, institutions, and inequalities, providing a valuable framework for understanding gender roles, identities, and systems of power within society.
  • Psychology Degree: Psychology majors examine human behavior, cognition, and development, offering insights into gender identity formation, gender-based discrimination, and mental health issues related to gender.
  • Social Work Degree: Social work majors focus on promoting social justice and addressing systemic inequalities, making it a natural pairing with a Women and Gender Studies minor for careers in gender advocacy, community organizing, and social services.
  • Political Science Degree: Political science majors study governance, policy-making, and political institutions, providing a foundation for analyzing gender politics, women's representation in government, and policy issues affecting gender equality.
  • Communications Degree: Communications majors learn about media representation, rhetoric, and public discourse, which are relevant for understanding how gender is constructed and represented in society through language and media.
  • History Degree: History majors examine past societies, cultures, and movements, offering historical perspectives on gender roles, feminist activism, and the evolution of gender relations over time.

  • Public Health Education Degree: Public health education majors focus on promoting health equity and addressing health disparities, making it a complementary choice for understanding gendered health issues, reproductive rights, and access to healthcare services.

Women and Gender Studies Minor Courses

WGS 225. Introduction to Women Studies. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Women Studies, with an emphasis on transnational feminism as a critical lens with which to assess the status and contributions of women and girls around the globe in the present day. Students will analyze and understand power structures in intranational and international contexts by evaluating the complex and intersecting forces that shape the lives of people who identify as women and girls. F,S,SS.

PSYC 210. Human Sexuality. 3 Credits.

This course provides an overview of human sexuality--covering anatomical and physiological aspects, psychological aspects, behavioral aspects, and social/cultural aspects. Prerequisite: PSYC 111. S.

SOC 335. Families in a Changing Society. 3 Credits.

An exploration of how family forms, norms, and theories have changed over time; the social forces that influence families at each of the major life stages (such as courtship, marriage, parenthood, old age); how statuses such as race, class, gender, and sexuality influence a person's opportunities for family formation and experiences within families; and the social policies that help or hinder family functioning. F.

HIST 333. Women in Modern America. 3 Credits.

How did women experience and shape American history and the United States as we know it today? This course explores the social, political, and economic lives of American women from diverse cultural backgrounds from the rise of the "New Woman" in the late 19th century to the present. Using gender, race, class, and culture as analytical lenses reveals the struggles and victories of women, as well as their individual and collective influence on the broader society. S, even years.

SOC 340. Sociology of Gender. 3 Credits.

This course is a sociological exploration of how gender dynamics have changed across time and vary globally. How gender creates barriers and opportunities - for both men and women - across multiple facets of social life is emphasized. S.

WGS 200. Introduction to Gender Studies. 3 Credits.

An interdisciplinary introduction to the processes by which gender is socially constructed, in relation to sex and sexuality. This course will provide the tools to analyze the complex intersections of gender with other categories like race, ability, class, and religion and understand how they affect the circulation of power. Students will reflect on their identity and experiences, and how these concepts shape our lives and our world. This class will engage with pressing social issues and influential cultural representations, norms, practices, and institutions. F,S,SS.

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