The Specialization in Women, Gender, and Social Justice is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies at Michigan State University. This interdisciplinary and cross-discipline specialization provides students with in-depth opportunities to study gender and its intersections with other aspects of identity within the students’ field of interest. Today’s scholars are broadening understandings of gender and gender identity. Cutting-edge scholarship is examining the multiple ways that individuals and groups experience oppression and resistance to oppression. Students enrolled in this specialization will be able to apply such understandings to their fields of interest through specific content areas which include gender, race, and ethnic identity; gender and sexuality; gender, history, and narrative; gender conflict or violence; gender and public policy; gender and literary, visual and performance arts; gender and health; and gender and urban spaces.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the Specialization in Women, Gender, and Social Justice must contact the advisor for this specialization. The student’s program of study must be approved by the specialization advisor in advance and in writing. Students who pursue the Specialization in Women, Gender, and Social Justice and are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Arts degree program in Women’s and Gender Studies should consult an academic advisor prior to completion of any elective credits in the specialization. Students will be expected to enroll in courses that include cross-disciplinary perspectives within the content area of their choosing.
Requirements for the Specialization in Women, Gender, and Social Justice
The student must complete the following (a minimum of 19 credits):
| 1. | Both of the following courses (7 credits): | ||||||
| WS | 201 | Introduction to Women’s Studies | 4 | ||||
| WS | 202 | Introduction to Contemporary Feminist Theories | 3 | ||||
| 2. | Complete a minimum of 12 additional credits in courses from one of the following areas: gender, race, and ethnic identity; gender and sexuality; gender, history, and narrative; gender and conflict/violence; gender and public policy; gender and literary, visual and performance arts; gender and health; or gender and urban spaces. A list of approved courses is maintained by the advisor for the Specialization in Women, Gender, and Social Justice. Specific courses on this list will fulfill specialization requirements when the topics include sufficient content regarding women, gender, and one area. | ||||||
Upon completion of the requirements for the Specialization in Women, Gender, and Social Justice, the student should contact the advisor for the specialization and request certification for the completion of the specialization. After the certification is approved by the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, the Office of the Registrar will enter on the student’s academic record the name of the specialization and the date that it was completed. This certification will appear on the student’s transcript.