This interdisciplinary minor provides a humanities-based forum for examining gender and sexuality in global cultures. Students in the minor learn about—and challenge their understandings of—topics such as LGBTQ sexual diversity, gender differences across cultures, and how femininity and masculinity have changed over time. Courses in the minor focus on representations of gender and sexuality across the arts, history, media, languages, and social sciences.

Students in the minor discuss how their own experiences of gender and sexuality relate to race, class, nationality, and language. Because of this, the minor appeals to an increasingly diverse population at UWG, and it is also a base for educating the entire campus and the greater Carrollton community. Students in the minor are prepared for a wide range of careers in fields that demand knowledge of and experience with diversity, from education and community outreach to business.

For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.

  • Overview

    Minor Requirements

    The Gender and Sexuality Studies minor requires 15 credit hours from the following:

    One required course: XIDS 2100: Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies (3 hours)

    Elective courses: courses approved for minor credit* (12 hours)

    *Electives must be approved by the program director, and must be from at least two different disciplines. No more than three elective credits (3 hours) can be at the 2000 level, and at least three elective credits (3 hours) must be at the 4000 level.
     
    To declare a Gender & Sexuality Studies minor online, submit the Gender & Sexuality Studies Minor Online Declaration form.

    Program Location

    Carrollton Campus

    Accreditation

    The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

    Credit and transfer

    Total semester hours required:

  • Cost

    This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.

    Save money

    UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.

    Details

    • Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
    • The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
    • Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
    • Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
    • Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
    • One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
    • For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Bursar's Office website

    There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.

  • Courses

    Coursework

    The following is a list of courses currently approved for the minor.  Not all courses are offered every semester.

    General

    The following is a list of courses currently approved for the minor. Not all courses are offered every semester. Many additional variable topics courses also count for the minor, if the course topic is related to gender and sexuality studies. If you feel that a course should be considered for approval, please inform the director of the minor, Dr. Matt Franks, at mfranks@westga.edu.
     
    • XIDS 2100: Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
    • COMM 4485: Communication & Gender
    • ENGL 2190: Literature by Women
    • ENGL 4185: Studies in Literature by Women
    • FREN 3212: Sexuality & Gender in French Cinema
    • HIST 4423: Women and Gender in the Ancient World
    • HIST 4467: Women in American History to 1890
    • HIST 4468: Women in American History Since 1890
    • PHIL 4130: Feminist Philosophy
    • PSYC 3110: Human Sexuality
    • SOCI 3603: Sociology of Gender

    • COMM-4485 - Special Topics

      Variable topic courses offered on a limited or pilot basis to explore or extend study of select, contemporary mass media and public relations issues.

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    • ENGL-4185 - Studies in Literature by Women

      An investigation of aesthetic and cultural issues pertinent to the production of literature by women. Typical offerings will rotate among topics related to literature by women in the United States, the British Isles, or other parts of the world. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.

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    • FREN-3210 - Topics in French Literature

      An introduction to the analysis of French literature through the study of selected text and authors of major French literary movements. The focus of the course may vary from the thematic approach to a study of literary genres.

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    • FREN-4210 - French Literature and Film

      A comparative approach to the study of French literature and its cinematic adaptation and/or a thematic approach to selected literary texts and films.

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    • PHIL-4240 - Philosophy of Friendship and Love

      The aim of this course is to examine critically the historical theories of friendship and love through examining important primary philosophical texts; to explore what it means to love and how such notions of love and friendship changed throughout the centuries; to grasp the value and meaning of friendship and love as social and personal elements; and to recognize the historical nature of definitions and questions of friendship and love.

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    • PHIL-4381 - Independent Study

      Guided investigation of a topic not addressed by regularly scheduled courses. Students must propose a detailed plan of readings, articulating precise learning objectives, and secure the written consent of both a supervising instructor and of the department chair. Not more than two (2) Independent Study courses may count toward the major in Philosophy without the chair's permission.

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    • PSYC-4085 - Horizon Seminar

      A special series of topical seminars meant to explore subjects at the leading edge of contemporary psychology, which are of special interest to students and faculty. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 12 hours.

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    • XIDS-2100 - Arts and Ideas: Special Topics

      This course is an overview of the interdependent and interdevelopmental character of movements in the arts and historical/philosophical ideas. The course may be team-taught with a multivariable format which includes lecture-discussion, open discussion among the instructors, tapes, and presentations.

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  • Faculty
  • Admissions
  • Dates

    UWG Admission Deadlines

  • Objectives
    1. Identify and describe how gendered and sexual codes are utilized in cultural texts from diverse cultures and historical periods.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking skills to interrogate cultural assumptions regarding gender and sexuality.
    3. Demonstrate an awareness of prevailing theories used to analyze gender and sexuality in the humanities.
    4. Analyze and evaluate, orally and in writing, gender and sexual codes through a diverse set of lenses, including race, class, sexual orientation, and/or ethnicity.