The 15-credit-hour Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Concentration introduces students to intersectional feminist perspectives on women in history, and the arts and sciences, and fosters creative thinking about the ways gender, sexuality and other axes of identity shape our experiences. Using innovative learning models and a unique action project, students promote social justice through lively engagement and dialogue with communities in the greater Chicago area.
The WGSS concentration includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as special sections of core transfer courses such as English composition and speech. WGSS provides a unique foundation for pursuing a wide variety of majors and careers in the arts, education, international relations, social services, healthcare, law, business, and many others.
Although most courses included in the concentration meet the general education requirements and transfer to four-year colleges and universities, students should consult with the WGSS program coordinator before registering for classes.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration Requirements
- Completion of HUM 140 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies, 3 credit hours.
- Completion of additional 12 credit hours of approved courses and special sections.
- Completion of a capstone action project or an option to take a 1-credit-hour Independent Study course that encourages personal development and community involvement. Action project must be approved by the WGSS program coordinator.
Students meeting the requirements for the concentration will have a notation added to their transcript. In order to receive this notation, students must meet with the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies coordinator and complete a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration Completion Form. For more information, contact program coordinator or visit www.oakton.edu/academics/special-programs/women-gender-and-sexuality-studies.php.
Concentration Learning Outcomes
- Describe the often-underrepresented contributions of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color to the arts, sciences, and struggles for political and human rights.
- Delineate various relationships between gender and sexuality.
- Apply intersectionality theory to examine the complex relationships between gender and other axes of identity, such as sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, age, and disability.
- Analyze the transformative impact of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies on humanities disciplines as well as the social and natural sciences using inter- and cross-disciplinary approaches.
- Implement feminist principles integral to cooperative methods of learning and research.
- Apply feminist theory and methodology to address social problems related to marginalized identities.
- Explain gender and sexuality oppression in historical, multicultural, transnational, and global contexts.
- Complete the capstone action project that encourages personal development and community involvement.