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Modified Major

If you wish to modify a WGSS Major, schedule an appointment with the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Co-Chairs, Annelise Orleck and Melissa Zeiger. Students wishing to pursue a modified major in WGSS must submit a written proposal that will be reviewed by the WGSS Faculty Steering Committee; approval by the chair or other appropriate faculty member in the secondary discipline is also required.

About the Modified Major

The modified major in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies combines gender-related interdisciplinary coursework taken under the auspices of the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program with courses that are specific to a given discipline.  Students will design a coherent program of study as they combine their interest in gender studies with knowledge and skills provided by their secondary interest.

The courses in the secondary discipline should not be WGSS cross-listed courses; they should instead be courses necessary for students to gain proficiency in their chosen secondary discipline, i.e., courses that count for the major or minor in that discipline.

(11 Courses)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2025 & EARLIER

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (7 courses: 4 Core + 3 Electives)

  1. WGSS 10: Sex, Gender, and Society
  2. WGSS 15: Roots of Feminism
  3. WGSS 16: Contemporary Issues in Feminism
  4. WGSS 80: Senior Seminar
  5. Three additional upper-level courses from the WGSS course offerings.

Secondary Discipline (4 courses from a single discipline)

  • Four upper-level courses that count towards the Major/Minor in that discipline.
(11 Courses)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 & AFTER

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (7 courses)

2 GATEWAY COURSES

  • WGSS 1 Intersections
  • WGSS 2 Introduction to Queer Studies
  • WGSS 3 Global Race x Global Migration
  • WGSS 4 Introduction to Disability Studies

2 METHODS/FIELDS COURSES

Choose from the following options:

  • WGSS 12 Feminist/Queer Theories and Methods
  • WGSS 41.06 Transnational Feminism
  • WGSS 65.06 Radical Sexuality
  • WGSS 66 Introduction to Black Feminist Thought

2 ELECTIVES

Electives can be selected from any WGSS offering. 

1 CULMINATING EXPERIENCE

  • WGSS 80 Seminar in WGSS

Secondary Discipline (4 courses from a single discipline)

  • Four upper-level courses that count towards the Major/Minor in that discipline.
(5 Courses)

Modifying Another Major with Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

When Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies becomes the secondary part of a modified major, five courses are required: WGSS 10 (for the class of '25 & earlier)/One Gateway Course (for the class of '26 & after) and four additional courses selected from the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offerings. Only two of these courses can be associated courses. A modified major should be planned to form a coherent program of study with the major. Students must file a written statement with each department and the Registrar explaining the rationale for the courses selected for the modified major.