Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) pre-major is recommended for students who are considering completing a Bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies, as well as a wide range of secondary majors after transferring to a four-year institution. The pre-major is designed for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university. Once a transfer school is selected, students are strongly encouraged to consult the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success and the transfer institution’s catalog to select courses that will meet both Oakton and transfer institution requirements.
The Pre-major consists of 16 hours of dedicated coursework in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies curriculum, along with the completion of General Education requirements. WGSS and General Education courses may overlap. Students who are also interested in completing the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Concentrations, are required to complete an Action Project that includes 12-14 hours of engagement in a community service project that utilizes theories and concepts learned in a student’s coursework, along with the submission of a follow-up report. Students may elect to enroll in an optional 1-credit hour course in conjunction with the Action Project.
When registering for courses, students are advised to select WGSS designated course sections. For more information on course selection or program-specific advising, contact the program coordinator. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Hours | |
| EGL 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQ Studies (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Education Mathematics | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology 2, 3 | ||
| Social Problems 3, 4 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Beginning I (101) Modern Language course | ||
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| EGL 102 | Composition II 3 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQ Studies (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology 2, 3 | ||
| Social Problems 3, 4 | ||
| Sociology of Marriage and Family (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Sociology of Sex and Gender (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Select one Life Science course: | 3-4 | |
Note: At least one science course with lab is required for degree completion | ||
| Introduction to Life Science (lab) | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Human Genetics (lab) | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science (lab) 2 | ||
| Plants and Society 2 | ||
| Microbe and Society | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Beginning II (102) Modern Language course | ||
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester One | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| African-American Culture and the Arts 1, 3 | ||
| Women and Creativity (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Asian Humanities 2 | ||
| Women, Art and Culture (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Perspectives on Film 3, 5 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Human Sexuality (see Note 2) 1 | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies 1 | ||
| Select one Physical Science course: | 3-4 | |
Note: At least one science course with lab is required for degree completion | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science (lab) | ||
| Physical Geology (lab) | ||
| Historical Geology (lab) | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Mythologies 2, 3 | ||
| Ethics 3 | ||
| World Religions 2, 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Intermediate I (201) Modern Language course | ||
or Art, Music or Theater course not taken previously | ||
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| SPE 103 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Sex, Gender and Health (see Note 2) 1,5 | ||
| [National/Regional] Literature in Translation 2, 3, 5 | ||
| Environmental Humanities 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Women In American History (see Note 2) 1, 5 | ||
| Women In Western Civilization (see Note 2) 5 | ||
| Select Modern Language course 202 or higher 2 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Action Project (optional) | 1 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Total Hours | 62-68 | |
- 1
Course fulfills the U.S. Diversity Studies requirement. At least one U.S. Diversity Studies course is required for degree completion.
- 2
Course fulfills the Global Studies requirement. At least one Global Studies course is required for degree completion.
- 3
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) section is recommended. WGSS-designated sections count toward the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Concentration.
- 4
Course fulfills both the Global Studies and U.S. Diversity Studies requirements.
- 5
Course is not IAI approved, but does transfer to most 4-year institutions. Consult your transfer institution for more information.
Note 1: Pre-major is a recommended sequence and selection of courses. See Associate in Arts (A.A.) page for degree requirements. Part time students should also consult the Office of Advising, Transition, and Student Success for part-time pre-major recommendations.
Note 2: Course satisfies WGSS concentration requirements.