Gender and Diversity Studies, B.A.

Introductory Course:

• SOCW 206 - Intro to Diversity & Interse

Theory Course (choose one):

• ENGL 366 - Feminist Theory
• SOCI 365 - Contemporary Social Theory

Diversity in American Culture Course (choose one):

These courses focus on the impact that the social, economic and cultural struggles of gendered, racial and ethnic minorities and/or women have had on the history and culture of the United States of America.

• ENGL 484 - African-American Literature  (R)
• ENGL 489 - American Minority Literature  (R)
• HIST 222 - The Harlem Renaissance (R)
• HIST 233 - Women In American History  (W)
• HIST 307 - Immigration and Ethnicity (R)
• HIST 324 - African-Am Struggle for Equlty  (R)
• POLI 367 - Gender & Politics: Women, Elections and Representation (W)
• SOCI 250 - Racial Ethnic Minorities  (R)
• SOCI 262 - Gender and Society  (W)
• SOCW 318 - Trends in Modern Soc: Race Rel  (R)
• SOCW 325 - Gender Identity & Intersection  (w)

Diversity in a Global Context (choose one):

These courses examine how racial, religious, and ethnic differences have shaped the history and culture of different regions across the globe.

• ENGL 344 - Major Black Writers of World  (R)
• ENGL 352 - African Literature  (R)
• HIST 231 - Transatlantic Slave Trade  (R)
• HIST 275 - Urban Imaginaries In Asia  (R)
• HIST 314 - Africa Since 1945 (R)
• HIST 343 - Religion & Empire in Latin America (R)
• HIST 395 - History of South Africa  (R)
• HIST 427 - Race and Nation in Modern Latin America (R)
• POLI 219 - Irish Government and Politics
• POLI 224 - Middle East Politics
• POLI 320 - Global Islamic Politics  (R)
• SPAN 351 - Latin-American Civilization I  (R)
• SPAN 352 - Latin Amer Trad & Pop Cult  (R)

Intersectionality Course (3 credit hours):

A 300-level course that explores both the social construction of identity and multiple axes of identity and difference, taking into consideration the various ways they may interrelate or intersect.

• COMM 323 - Race, Class, Gender & Media
• COMM 324 - Sex and Violence In Media
• ENGL 359 - Gender & Diversity in Film
• HIST 324 - African-Am Struggle for Equlty
• SOCW 315 - Values, Human Rights, Advocacy
• SOCW 318 - Trends in Modern Soc: Race Rel
• SOCW 404 - Rel/Ethics & Profession Pract
• SPMG 410 - Sport Ethics
• THEO 322 - Black Theology
• THEO 358 - Immigration Theology & Ethics
• THEO 372 - Disability, Ethics & Theology
• HIST 350, POLI 316, THEO 316 - Globalization (departmental designations may change yearly).

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours):

In the Spring of senior year, all GDST students will submit a thesis for public defense.  Students are expected to independently design and complete a research-based project on a specific diversity studies topic that synthesizes the scholarly literature in at least two of the disciplines that inform diversity studies and presents a clear, arguable thesis supported by evidence drawn from appropriate sources.  To this end, students will take a one credit hour thesis direction course in the Fall of senior year, GDST 498.  Students will design their projects, identify two faculty readers from two different disciplines, work both independently and in groups, and complete a polished proposal by the end of the course. Students will then sign up for two credit hours of tutorials in the Spring, GDST 499, one with each of their thesis readers.  All thesis readers must be GDST affiliated faculty and must be approved by the director of the program as well as the chairs of the faculty members’ respective home departments.  The focus of the thesis is multidisciplinary and addresses issues concerning gender and diversity studies that stem from the student’s own elective concentration or interests.  For example, projects may include an internship component or be limited to textual analysis depending on the primary methodologies of the disciplines with which students are working.

Elective Courses (18 credit hours):

The remaining 18 credit hours elective courses must come from three or more disciplines.  Students choosing a Women & Gender or Race & Ethnicity concentration must complete at least nine of their elective credit hours with courses that have the appropriate (W) or (R) designation.  Otherwise, students may choose any course approved as a Gender and Diversity Studies elective at the 200-level or above.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year