Gender & Women's Studies Minor, UG

for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies

A minor in GWS provides complementary tools for many majors in the humanities, arts and sciences. The minor advocates actively reading, questioning, challenging, and understanding racialized, sexualized, and gendered bodies. The Department of Gender and Women’s Studies must approve a student's minor course plan. Students must register their minor with the Gender and Women's Studies advisor.

for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies

At least 6 hours of advanced coursework must be distinct from credit earned for the student's major or another minor. 

Select two of the following:6
GWS 201
Race, Gender & Power
GWS 202
Sexualities
GWS 350
Feminist & Gender Theory
Additional Coursework- At least 9 additional hours of coursework offered by the Gender and Women’s Studies Department at the 300- or 400-level. Required courses consist of a selected list of courses offered by the Department of Gender & Women's Studies; they are on an approved list maintained in the department office and with the GWS advisor. 19
3 hours of area electives at any level. For a list of approved courses contact the GWS department office or the GWS advisor.3
Total Hours18
1

Topics courses (GWS 395, GWS 495) may count up to 3 hours toward additional coursework with consent of the GWS advisor. GWS 390 or GWS 490 may count up to 3 hours toward additional coursework with consent of the GWS advisor.

for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies

Students completing the minor will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge of key concepts in Gender and Women’s Studies, including feminist movements, intersectionality, queer and trans studies, and feminist and queer theories.

  2. Apply introductory feminist and queer frameworks to support critical inquiry, creative thinking, and effective oral and written communication.

  3. Identify how gender and related forms of difference—including race, indigeneity, religion, nation, disability, and sexuality—shape social, cultural, political, and aesthetic claims.

  4. Demonstrate self-reflexivity regarding their own social positions and engage constructively in classroom or community settings informed by feminist commitments to equity and care.

  5. Explain how global social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental forces influence experiences across different contexts, using basic indigenous, postcolonial, or transnational feminist and queer perspectives.

for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies

Department of Gender & Women's Studies

Gender & Women's Studies faculty
gws-email@illinois.edu

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences