Requirements for the Major
51 total units consisting of
Any other courses that are counted towards the WST major must be approved by the Women and Gender Studies program coordinator(s) in the Department of History and Political Science.
Courses that emphasize leadership theory and/or practice are designated LWS.
Section A: Introductory courses (4 courses; 8 units)
| WST 101 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 |
| LWS 1A | Leadership Concepts | 1 |
| POL 1 | American Politics and Government | 3 |
| WST 1 | Voice and Advocacy | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Section B: WST Core Section (5 courses; 15 units)
| HIS 191 | Major Issues in the United States Women's History | 3 |
| POL 176 | Public Policy | 3 |
| WST 130 | International Relations and Gender | 3 |
| WST 132 | Gender and Political Communication from a Global Perspective | 3 |
| WST 102 | Readings in WST | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
WST 102 Readings in WST (1 unit; 3 units required total)
Section C: Research and Praxis (10 units minimum)
Research skills: (6 units)
Plus take 1 of the following three courses:
| HIS 101 | Historical Methods and Historiography | 3 |
| HIS 101A | Introduction to Humanities Research and the Digital Humanities | 3 |
| POL 101 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Praxis: (4 units minimum)
Women and Gender Studies students are required to complete one internship experience. The internship experience should be clearly connected to the student’s major and focus. Students are encouraged to explore political and social activism through internships with elected officials, women’s groups, and other organizations dedicated to finding political, social and policy solutions.
Existing internship opportunities include positions with the Center for the Advancement of Women and a research-intern position with the GWSTEM Honors program. The department has long running relationships with city offices, elected officials and non-profits that can serve as intern placement. The Office of Women’s Leadership and the Center for the Advancement of Women are well situated to help place interns with community partners.
WST 104 Internship (3-6 units); 3 units required; 6 units recommended;
Plus
LWS 5 Leadership in Action course (1unit) required
OR
Approval required by WST coordinator and subject to availability
WST 105 Undergraduate Research Assistant
Section D: Capstone (3 units)
Section E: Paths (15 units; Electives)
3 units from either Path 1 and 2, plus 12 units from Path 3, 4, 5
Path 1: Politics, Policy and Historical Perspectives
| POL 156 | Women and Politics | 3 |
| HCP 155 | Politics of Women's Health Care in California | 3 |
| POL 102 | Gender and the Law | 3 |
| HIS 186 | Gender in American Life and Thought | 3 |
| HIS 192A | Women of Color in the U.S. | 3 |
| HIS 192B | Women of Color in the U.S. | 3 |
| HIS 192C | Women of Color in the U.S. | 3 |
| WST 193 | Current Topics in Women's Studies | 3 |
Path 2: International Politics and Policy
| GLP 114 | The Politics of Democratization and Social Policy | 3 |
| GLP 147 | Women and Development | 3 |
| WST 133 | Gender and Latin American Politics and Society | 3 |
| WST 134 | Women and Gender in African Politics | 3 |
| WST 109 | Global History of Women’s Movements | 3 |
| WST 187 | Gender in a Global Context | 3 |
| WST 135 | Gender and Militarism | 3 |
Path 3: The Body, Mind, and Spirit
| BIO 155 | Cancer and Society | 3 |
| SJSD 1 | Introduction to Social Justice and Sexual Diversity | 3 |
| RST 123 | Christian Thought: Spiritual Journeys of Women | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Gender Issues in Psychology | 3 |
| PHI 178 | Philosophy of Women | 3 |
Path 4: Culture and Society
| ENG 123 | Women's Voices in Literature | 3 |
| CUL 117 | Women's Literature in Translation | 3 |
| BUS 140 | Women's Issues in Business and Economics | 3 |
| SOC 163 | Women's and Children's Human Rights | 3 |
| SOC 179 | Human Trafficking | 3 |
Path 5: Music and the Arts
Plus General Education requirements and electives totaling 124 semester units.
* WST 106 fulfills the capstone requirement for Social Work.