Gender Studies B.A.

View information for the Department of Sociology, Gerontology, and Gender Studies , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

View the degree program Roadmap, which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

The Gender Studies major will provide students with an interdisciplinary, liberal arts education that will support them in a wide range of careers and enhance their ability to participate actively in diverse communities. By design, the major emphasizes critical investigation of gender theory and research, historical and contemporary experiences, multiethnic and transnational understanding, and applied learning. Gender Studies examines how ideologies regarding sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression have influenced and been influenced by institutions, political and cultural practices, scientific and technological advancement, artistic expressions, belief systems, and work and social environments. Students explore and evaluate the intersections of gendered identities with such categories as race/ethnicity, economic class, age, ablebodiedness, religion, nationality and geographic location. In addition, students pursuing a Gender Studies major will graduate with strong critical thinking skills, extensive experience with oral and written communication, experience applying their knowledge through community-based and research projects, experiences working as part of diverse teams, and an appreciation for civic engagement. It is possible to complete the major requirements in a hybrid or online format.

Program Learning Outcomes

Gender Studies majors will:

Demonstrate proficiency in the discipline of Gender Studies, including knowledge of research methods and major theoretical and historical approaches to feminist, queer, trans, and masculinity theories.
Explain how human subjectivity is constituted by multiple identities (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, nationality, etc.) that are intricately interwoven and shaped by systems of privilege and inequality (patriarchy, heterosexism, nationalism, white supremacy, etc.), which are also interlocking.
Analyze the material realities of gender-based power relations and inequalities and analyze strategies of resistance and transformation aimed at realizing social change and social justice.
Analyze sex, gender, trans and sexuality movements, processes and systems that affect people across transnational contexts.
Engage in intersectional analysis of the cultural production of representations and objects.
Develop the intellectual skills and competencies necessary to participate effectively in society and the world.

Requirements

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

Units and Residency (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
Grade Point Average (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
General Education (minimum of 49 units)
Upper Division Writing Proficiency (minimum of 3 units)
- Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
United States Constitution and California State and Local Government (minimum of 3 units)
Multicultural Requirement (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. There are no prerequisites to the major.

3. Complete the major.

Of not less than 30 units, no fewer than 24 at the upper-division level. No courses graded CR may be counted towards the major, except up to 9 units taken in courses graded exclusively CR/NC.

4. Students are required to complete a concentration.

Completion of a minor is recommended, but not required.

5. Students must achieve a C- grade or better in all courses that count toward fulfilling the requirements for the major.

6. Students are required to receive academic advising in the major each semester.

Advising appointments can occur in-person, via web-conferencing, or by phone. In addition to meeting with faculty during posted office hours, advising appointments can be scheduled by contacting the Director of Gender Studies.

7. Students are encouraged to consider student research opportunities, internships, and Study Abroad as components of their degree.

The Major

(30 units minimum, at least 24 at the upper-division level)

Note:

Many GEND courses are cross-listed, meaning they are the same as courses in other disciplines; these courses are indicated by the word “or” in the lists below. Students may register for these courses under either name.

1. Core Courses

(13 units)

Complete ALL of the following:

GEND 3000 - Contemporary Gender Studies Research 3 unit(s)
GEND 3550 - Society and Gender 3 unit(s)
GEND 4200 - Gender Theory 3 unit(s)
GEND 4930 - Studies in Activism: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality 3 unit(s) **
GEND 4970 - Gender Studies Portfolio Capstone 1 unit(s)

2. Historical Perspectives

(3 units)

Complete ONE of the following:

GEND 2020 - Women’s and Feminist Activism 3 unit(s)
GEND 4620
/ HIST 4620 - Gender in U.S. History 3 unit(s)

3. Gender in Global and/or U.S. Ethnic Contexts

(3 units)

Complete ONE of the following:

GEND 3200 - Chicana Activism and Identity 3 unit(s)
GEND 3444
/ PSCI 3444 - Gender and Sexuality Middle East 4 unit(s)
GEND 3900
/ ANTH 3900 - Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP) 3 unit(s)
GEND 3950
/ ENGL 3950 - International Non-European Women Authors 3 unit(s)
GEND 4000
/ ETHS 4000 - Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x Families 3 unit(s)
GEND 4080
/ ART 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s)
GEND 4220 - Gender, Environment and Sustainability 3 unit(s)
GEND 4250 - Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Film (WP) 3 unit(s) *
GEND 4310
/ PSCI 4310 - Ethnic and Gender Politics 4 unit(s)
GEND 4510
/ ENGL 4510 - British Women Authors 3 unit(s)
GEND 4750
/ HIST 4750 - Comparative World Women 3 unit(s)

4. Concentration

(12 units)

Select one of the following concentrations. Courses used to satisfy required courses in the major (see above) may be applied to the concentration requirements, although the credit hours will not double-count.

a. History, Society, and Inequality

Choose any 12 units:

GEND 2020 - Women’s and Feminist Activism 3 unit(s)
GEND 2040 - Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies 3 unit(s)
GEND 2110 - Trans Identities and Issues 3 unit(s)
GEND 2500 - Women’s Lives and Sustainable Happiness 3 unit(s)
GEND 3200 - Chicana Activism and Identity 3 unit(s)
GEND 3320
/ SOCL 3320 - Sociology of Men and Society 3 unit(s)
GEND 3560 - Society and Sexuality 3 unit(s)
GEND 3660
/ PSYC 3660 - Psychology of Women 3 unit(s)
GEND 4070
/ ART 4070 - Women and Gender in the History of Art I: Europe and the United States 3 unit(s)
GEND 4080
/ ART 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s)
GEND 4100 - Gender and Education 3 unit(s)
GEND 4110 - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Education 3 unit(s)
GEND 4220 - Gender, Environment and Sustainability 3 unit(s)
GEND 4304 - Women’s Spirituality 3 unit(s)
GEND 4305 / PSCI 4305 - Gender Politics at Work 3 unit(s)
GEND 4310 / PSCI 4310 - Ethnic and Gender Politics 4 unit(s)
GEND 4311 / PSCI 4311 - Women in American Law 3 unit(s)
GEND 4580
/ HIST 4580 - The Family in U.S. History 3 unit(s)
GEND 4600 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4600 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 unit(s)
GEND 4620
/ HIST 4620 - Gender in U.S. History 3 unit(s)
GEND 4750 - Comparative World Women 3 unit(s)
GEND 4750 / HIST 4750 - Comparative World Women 3 unit(s)
GEND 4800 - Transgender Theory and Policy 3 unit(s)
GEND 4940 - Gender Studies Internship 1-4 unit(s) * / **
GEND 4950 - Selected Topics in Gender Studies 1-5 unit(s) * / **
GEND 4980 - Individual Study 1-4 unit(s) * / **

b. Culture, Ideology, and Representation

Choose any 12 units:

GEND 3660
/ PSYC 3660 - Psychology of Women 3 unit(s)
GEND 3900 - Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP) 3 unit(s)
ANTH 3900 - Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP) 3 unit(s)
GEND 3950
/ ENGL 3950 - International Non-European Women Authors 3 unit(s)
GEND 4000
/ ETHS 4000 - Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x Families 3 unit(s)
GEND 4040
/ COMM 4040 - Gender Communication 3 unit(s)
GEND 4050 / COMM 4050 - Relational Communication 3 unit(s)
GEND 4060
/ COMM 4060 - Family Communication 3 unit(s)
GEND 4070
/ ART 4070 - Women and Gender in the History of Art I: Europe and the United States 3 unit(s)
GEND 4080
/ ART 4080 - Women and Gender in the History of Art II: Global and Transnational Contexts 3 unit(s)
GEND 4170 - Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture 3 unit(s)
GEND 4250 - Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Film (WP) 3 unit(s) *
GEND 4510 / ENGL 4510 - British Women Authors 3 unit(s)
GEND 4520
/ ENGL 4520 - American Women Authors 3 unit(s)
GEND 4530
/ ENGL 4530 - Gender and Sexuality in Literature 3 unit(s)
GEND 4940 - Gender Studies Internship 1-4 unit(s) * / **
GEND 4950 - Selected Topics in Gender Studies 1-5 unit(s) * / **
GEND 4980 - Individual Study 1-4 unit(s) * / **

c. Ethnicity, Nationality, and Sexuality

Choose any 12 units:

GEND 2010
/ SOCL 2010 - Sociology of Sexual Behavior 3 unit(s)
GEND 2040 - Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies 3 unit(s)
GEND 3200 - Chicana Activism and Identity 3 unit(s)
GEND 3320
/ SOCL 3320 - Sociology of Men and Society 3 unit(s)
GEND 3444
/ PSCI 3444 - Gender and Sexuality Middle East 4 unit(s)
GEND 3560 - Society and Sexuality 3 unit(s)
GEND 3900
/ ANTH 3900 - Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP) 3 unit(s)
GEND 4000
/ ETHS 4000 - Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x Families 3 unit(s)
GEND 4110 - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Education 3 unit(s)
GEND 4170 - Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture 3 unit(s)
GEND 4250 - Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Film (WP) 3 unit(s) *
PSCI 4305 - Gender Politics at Work 3 unit(s)
GEND 4310
/ PSCI 4310 - Ethnic and Gender Politics 4 unit(s)
GEND 4530 / ENGL 4530 - Gender and Sexuality in Literature 3 unit(s)
GEND 4580
/ HIST 4580 - The Family in U.S. History 3 unit(s)
GEND 4600 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4600 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 unit(s)
GEND 4620
/ HIST 4620 - Gender in U.S. History 3 unit(s)
GEND 4750
/ HIST 4750 - Comparative World Women 3 unit(s)
GEND 4940 - Gender Studies Internship 1-4 unit(s) * / **
GEND 4950 - Selected Topics in Gender Studies 1-5 unit(s) * / **
GEND 4980 - Individual Study 1-4 unit(s) * / **

Notes:

*depending on topic

**may be repeated with advisor’s or director’s approval

5. Upper-Division Gender Studies Electives

(0-11 units)

Upon approval from an adviser, elective units are to be selected from among courses listed under or cross-listed with Gender Studies to complete 30 total units for the major. The number of elective units depends upon the selection of courses used to satisfy major and concentration requirements. Courses addressing issues of sex, gender or sexuality that are not currently cross-listed with Gender Studies may be approved for inclusion in the Major with advisor’s or director’s approval.