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2016-2017 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies - Program Description

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies section in this catalog.

Website: www.gvsu.edu/wgs

Women, gender, and sexuality studies focuses on diversity and the integration of theory and practice. Liberal education is central to WGS and the department requires that students critically reflect on and recognize their own social and cultural environments and to challenge prevailing ideas of privilege, and inequality. These attributes encourage students to develop the skills of inquiry, reflection, critical analysis, dialog, and expression so central to the university's vision for undergraduate success.

The women, gender, and sexuality studies department at GVSU offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that acquaints students with the scholarship on women, gender and sexuality; raises awareness of how categories of gender and sexuality affect and are affected by our everyday lives, historical currents, social institutions, science, art, and literature; and prepares students for graduate school and/or careers in which knowledge of gender issues is relevant.

Each semester, more than 500 students enroll in WGS courses ranging from Introduction to Gender Studies to courses cross listed in more than a dozen departments to our senior level courses on praxis that empower students to challenge gender stereotypes, understand feminist perspectives, and to work actively for diverse gender justice through service learning at the community level and through international perspectives and experiences.

Participating Programs

The department contributes to the experience of all students on campus by working in collaboration with the Women's Center, the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, student organizations and academic programs and departments across the university to sponsor speakers and events that contribute to understanding women, gender, and sexuality in the contemporary world. Most significantly, each March in conjunction with the GVSU Women's Center, WGS celebrates Women's and Feminist History Month with a keynote speaker, a tea party celebrating the legacy of women's activism, and an awards ceremony honoring students, staff, and faculty members of the Grand Valley community.

Honors Organizations

Iota Iota Iota is the academic honor society for the field of women gender, and sexuality studies. The organization recognizes the academic achievements of students and encourages and supports scholarship and excellence in women gender, and sexuality studies.

The following programs are available:

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Studies Minor



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