Minor in Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies (Non-Teaching)

The College of Letters and Science, in conjunction with all other colleges at MSU, offers an interdisciplinary minor in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). Students in the minor systematically study basic feminist theories and methodologies, as well as the experiences and contributions of women in a variety of cultures over time. Students in the minor will examine issues and theories of gender inequity and gender identity and will engage in feminist analysis within their disciplines. Students find the minor a stimulating challenge to traditional assumptions in their academic programs. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, the minor is individually shaped in consultation with a WGSS advisor. Students who declare a minor in WGSS must complete 21 semester credits as outlined below. Contact wgss@montana.edu for additional information and view the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor site at http://www.montana.edu/wgs.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Increase the ability to apply feminist theories and methodologies to a variety of topics.


  • Understand the similarities and differences between feminist methodologies as well as between feminist and non-feminist methodologies.
  • Employ gender, race, class, and sexual orientations as categories of analysis in research.
  • Develop original and sustained in-depth research projects.
  • Clearly express ideas in writing and oral presentations.
  • Successfully use research databases and provide citations of sources.
Required Course:
WGSS 201IHIntro to Feminist Theories3
Choose one of the following:3
WGSS 301RHIntegrative Seminar in Women's Studies3
WGSS 378LGBTQ Studies3
WGSS 454The Study of Men & Masculinity3
WGSS 492Independent Study1-3
Elective Course Work
Choose five of the following:15
ANTY 337Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Japan3
ANTY 343Popular Culture - Japan3
ANTY 427Anthropology of Gender3
ANTY 441Social Movements & Community Activism3
HDFS 263Relationships and Family Systems3
HDFS 464Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity3
HDFS 465RFamily Law & Public Policy3
HONR 494Honors Seminar (Queer Frontiers: Gender and Sexuality in Rural American Music, Media and Landscapes)4
HTH 220Human Sexuality3
HTH 455Ethics of Community Health3
HSTA 402Sex and Sexuality in America3
HSTA 407Gender in US & Canadian West3
HSTA 408Gender in America3
HSTA 409Food in America3
HSTR 346Modern India3
HSTR 415Gender and Technology3
HSTR 430Latin Amer Social History3
HSTR 431Race in Latin America3
HSTR 432Colonial Latin America3
HSTR 434Gender in Latin America3
HSTR 443Gender in Asia3
JPNS 325IHOutcast Literature3
LIT 335Women and Literature3
LIT 438Studies in Literary Topics3
NASX 405 Gender Issues in Native American Studies3
PHL 351Philosophy and Feminism3
PSCI 354Contemporary Issues in Political Theory3
PSCI 439International Human Rights3
PSYX 235DContemporary Issues in Human Sexuality3
PSYX 335Psychology of Gender3
PSYX 462Psychology of Prejudice3
RLST 321Religion and Gender3
SOCI 332Sociology of the Family3
SOCI 344Sociology of Race & Ethnicity3
SOCI 326Sociology of Gender3
SOCI 370Sociology of Globalization3
SOCI 414Family Violence3
SOCI 425Victims and Society3
SOCI 434Sociology of Human Sexuality3
SOCI 455Classical Sociological Theory3
SPNS 350US Latino Cultures3
SPNS 351US Latino Literature3
WGSS 301RHIntegrative Seminar in Women's Studies3
WGSS 378LGBTQ Studies3
WGSS 454The Study of Men & Masculinity3
WGSS 494Seminar3
Additional courses may be counted toward the minor with approval of the WGSS Chair(s).