Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGS) is an interdisciplinary field that centers intersectional feminism. WGS explores the many ways that sexism, heterosexism, and other forms of oppression shape identities and impact lived experiences. WGS recognizes that the problem is unjust systems not individuals, that the personal is political, and that sexism and heteronormativity intersect with other forms of oppression such as racism, classism, and ableism. WGS centers the experiences of marginalized groups including people of color and those who are women, trans, queer, non binary, disabled, poor, and/or undocumented, among others.
The mission of the program is to empower students to reimagine the future and work towards liberation for all communities. WGS is not just about learning facts and theories, but also about praxis—using learned and experiential knowledge to become practitioners, researchers, learners, leaders and activists. WGS works to create an environment of learning and passionate commitment to the development and implementation of meaningful social change within the university and beyond.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Major in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Majors in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGS) will fill out the WGS Major Declaration form in the Program office. All Women's and Gender Studies majors must complete six required courses (18 credit hours) and six courses of electives (18 credit hours) from at least two academic departments for a total of 36 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| WGS-101 | Introduction To Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| WGS-300 | Feminist Activism | 3 |
| WGS-302 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| WGS-303 | Writing Intensive Program: The Power Of Writing: Interdisciplinarity As Critical Practice | 3 |
| WGS-323 | Internship In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| WGS-350 | Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies Seminar | 3 |
| Electives from at least 2 departments | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students choose from a list of elective courses (WGS or cross-listed) that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and will expose them to the widest variety of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies faculty. Elective courses which do not appear on the electives list below must be approved by the major advisor or coordinator and may not exceed 6 credit hours. Elective courses must be distributed among at least two different disciplines or departments.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTH-307 | Anthropology Of Gender, Sexuality And The Body | 3 |
| ANTH-311 | Designing Your Future: Next Steps | 1 |
| ANTH-325 | Archaeology Of Sex, Gender, And Sexuality | 3 |
| Communication, Media and Theatre | ||
| CMTC-313 | Communication, Gender & Identity | 3 |
| CMTM-377 | Gender And Media | 3 |
| CMTT-337 | Women In Playwriting | 3 |
| Educational Foundations | ||
| EDFN-314L | Gender, Race, And Class Issues In Education | 3 |
| English | ||
| ENGL-303 | Contemporary LGBTQ+ Literature | 3 |
| ENGL-349G | Gloria Anzaldúa: A Deep Dive | 3 |
| ENGL-367 | Re-Thinking Race And Gender | 3 |
| ENGL-371 | Studies In Women's Literature | 3 |
| ENGL-372 | American Women Writers Of The Nineteenth Century | 3 |
| History | ||
| HIST-309 | The History Of Disability | 3 |
| HIST-315 | Women In Medieval Society | 3 |
| HIST-338 | Women In American History | 3 |
| HIST-339A | Sexuality And Intimacy In America | 3 |
| HIST-365 | The History Of Women And Gender In Muslim Societies | 3 |
| HIST-373 | Women & Gender In African History | 3 |
| Justice Studies | ||
| JUST-311 | Women, Crime, And The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| JUST-321 | Violence Against Women | 3 |
| JUST-322 | Women, Justice And The Law | 3 |
| JUST-324 | Women As Political Prisoners | 3 |
| JUST-325 | Women And Revolution: Theories Of Justice | 3 |
| JUST-328 | Social Justice & LGBTQ Issues | 3 |
| JUST-355 | LGBTQ Communities & Crime | 3 |
| Linguistics | ||
| LING-330 | Language, Gender, And Sexuality | 3 |
| Latina/o/x & Latin American Studies | ||
| LLAS-340 | Latina/x Feminisms & Social Media | 3 |
| LLAS-349 | Gloria Anzaldúa: A Deep Dive | 3 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHIL-353 | Feminism And The Philosophy Of Science | 3 |
| PHIL-366 | Feminist Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL-370 | Re-Thinking Race And Gender | 3 |
| PHIL-373 | Feminist Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL-374 | Philosophy Of Sex | |
| Political Science | ||
| PSCI-322 | Women And Political Influence In The 21st Century | 3 |
| PSCI-373 | Gender And Politics | 3 |
| PSCI-398 | Law And Social Change | 3 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC-312 | Psychological Development In Women | 3 |
| Sociology | ||
| SOC-105 | Social Inequalities And Social Change | 3 |
| SOC-214 | Sociology Of Intimacy, Marriages And Families | 3 |
| SOC-270 | Sociology Of Latinas | 3 |
| SOC-306 | Women, Gender And The "F Word" | 3 |
| SOC-307 | Men & Masculinities | 3 |
| SOC-329 | Sociology Of Violence | 3 |
| SOC-332 | Schools, Domination & Liberation: Sociology Of Education | 3 |
| SOC-340 | Sociology Of Sexualities | 3 |
| SOC-344 | African American Women:Feminism, Race, And Resistance | 3 |
| SOC-347 | Sociology Of Media | 3 |
| SOC-352 | Sociology Of HIV/AIDS | 3 |
| Social Work | ||
| SWK-300 | Human Sexuality And Social Work | 3 |
| SWK-312 | Women And Social Work | 3 |
| SWK-320 | Domestic Violence Social Work:Theory And Practice | 3 |
| Urban Community Studies | ||
| UCS-341 | Motherhood Studies In The Urban Community | 3 |
| Women's and Gender Studies | ||
| WGS-150 | Women's Self-Defense | 1 |
| WGS-210 | Introduction To Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Studies | 3 |
| WGS-310 | Lesbian & Queer Cultures: Identities, Histories & Resistance | 3 |
| WGS-311 | Power, Knowledge & Communities: Feminists Engagements With Education | 3 |
| WGS-312 | Women & Global Human Rights | 3 |
| WGS-313 | Radical Feminist Imagination | 3 |
| WGS-316 | Science And The Gendered Body | 3 |
| WGS-320 | Feminisms In Islam | 3 |
| WGS-321 | Internship In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 1 |
| WGS-322 | Internship In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 2 |
| WGS-331 | Independent Study In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 1 |
| WGS-332 | Independent Study In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 2 |
| WGS-333 | Independent Study In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| WGS-349 | Gloria Anzaldúa: A Deep Dive | 3 |
| WGS-360 | Queer Theory | 3 |
| WGS-361 | Queer Latin American Narrative And Film | 3 |
| WGS-362 | Gender And Sexuality In Latin American And Latinx Resistance Movements | 3 |
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| ENGL-101 | Writing I | 3 |
| General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
| General Education-Natural Science | 3 | |
| General Education-Humanities | 3 | |
| General Education-Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| WGS-101 | Introduction To Women’s, Gender Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
| General Education-Humanities | 3 | |
| General Education-Quantitative | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| WGS-303 | Writing Intensive Program: The Power Of Writing: Interdisciplinarity As Critical Practice | 3 |
| WGS Elective | 3 | |
| General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
| General Education-Natural Science | 3 | |
| General Education-Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| WGS-300 | Feminist Activism | 3 |
| WGS Elective | 3 | |
| General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
| General Education-Natural Science | 3 | |
| General Education-Humanities | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| WGS-302 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| WGS Elective | 3 | |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| WGS Elective | 3 | |
| WGS Elective | 3 | |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| WGS-323 | Internship In Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| WGS Elective | 3 | |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| WGS-350 | Women's, Gender And Sexuality Studies Seminar | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |