Women's and Gender Studies is a discipline that critically examines gender and women's issues from an interdisciplinary perspective and challenges many traditional assumptions and theories. It examines the practice and expression of gender in different societies and at different historical moments.
Regardless of your gender, Women's and Gender Studies is crucial and relevant for anyone interested in working in criminal justice, social work, the non-profit sector, the arts, politics, business, and more. Students learn to look at the world and history through different perspectives and think about how gender and our perceptions of it impact culture, society, and daily interactions. It is a traditional liberal arts discipline where the knowledge and skills developed in the program can be applied to all types of career paths. Work experiences during college through internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer positions often shape career paths after graduation.
In 1974, the Office of Women's Studies opened its doors at UWM, becoming the first university in Wisconsin to establish a Women's Studies program. Today, undergraduate students at UWM can pursue a Women's and Gender Studies major or minor, and graduate students can choose from among three different Women's and Gender Studies MA options or a certificate to complement a different graduate degree program. Undergraduates benefit from the MA program's strength by working with and learning from graduate students and taking classes with the same exceptional faculty.
Students in Women's and Gender Studies master critical thinking, problem analysis, and communication through both classroom studies and service learning opportunities.
Students who are interested in the major should consult with Women’s and Gender Studies to make a formal declaration. For additional information, please contact Women's and Gender Studies, located in CRT 535, by phone at (414) 229-5918, or on the web.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 90 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 90 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
University General Education Requirements (GER)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Part A | ||
| Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course: | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (or equivalent) | |
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Part A | ||
| Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) | ||
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II | ||
| Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | ||
or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| College Algebra | ||
Or equivalent course | ||
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab) | 6 | |
| UWM Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete Foreign Language Requirement through: | ||
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language | ||
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language | ||
Or equivalent | ||
| UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement | ||
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Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
I. English Composition Requirement
Students must satisfy the English Composition Requirement with one of the following options:
1) Completing ENGLISH 102 with a grade of C or higher; or
2) by placing beyond ENGLISH 102 on the English Placement Test (EPT) (or other assessment as determined by the English Department); or
3) transferring a course of at least 2.5 equivalent credits from another institution that is equivalent to English 102, or a UWM higher-level expository writing course, with a grade of C or higher.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part A. The College of Letters & Science does not have a specific requirement for a writing course beyond English 102, but students must complete the university-wide requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part B listed above.
II. Mathematics and Formal Reasoning
To satisfy the Mathematics and Formal Reasoning Requirement, students must satisfy the following two requirements:
1. Achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) or earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 102 | Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | 3 |
| MATH 103 | Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 108 | Algebraic Literacy II | 3 |
| MATH 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | 3 |
| or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 175 | Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
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Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part A, listed above.
2. Complete one course (at least 3 credits) at the 200 level or above chosen from courses in Mathematics, PHILOS 211, or Letters and Science statistics courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
3 or more credits in any 200-level or above Math course | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies | ||
| Introduction to Anthropological Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Geography | ||
| The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Elementary Logic | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Survey Research | ||
| Psychological Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | ||
Note: This requirement is NOT the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part B. To complete the BA, students must take one of the L&S approved courses. Not all of the courses listed here will satisfy the QL-B requirement.
III. Foreign Language Requirement
Placement testing may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work.
Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Foreign Language GER, but not vice versa.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 0-18 | |
Successful completion of the 4th semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
Successful completion of the 3rd semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) PLUS the 2nd semester of college work or equivalent in another language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
IV. International Requirement
See Approved Courses for the L&S International Requirement for course options.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 9 | |
Complete 3 courses (min. 9 cr) in a single foreign language (not including literature-in-translation or American Sign Language) at the 3rd semester level and above | ||
Complete 3 non-language courses (min. 9 credits) with an international content chosen from at least 2 curricular areas. | ||
Complete 9 credits in combination of the two options above. | ||
V. Breadth Requirement
Along with completing the University General Education Requirements of 3 credits in the Arts (A); 6 credits in the Humanities (HU), Social Sciences (SS), and Natural Sciences (NS/NS+); and a course with the Cultural Diversity (CD/+) designation, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S courses with Humanities Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single subject area. * | 12 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Social Science Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Natural Sciences Breadth designation, including at least one laboratory or field course; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Cultural Diversity | ||
| Complete 3 credits in a course with Cultural Diversity (CD) designation. ** | 3 | |
- *
Students should check their course selections carefully with the list of approved L&S Breadth Courses. Students are advised to select at least 6 credits worth of courses in each of the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences areas that can satisfy both the campus-wide General Education Requirements and the L&S Breadth requirement.
- **
Students are advised to select a course that satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement as well as a Humanities or Social Science breadth/GER requirement.
VI. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VII. The Minor
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Women's and Gender Studies Major Requirements
The Women’s and Gender Studies major requires 36 credits drawn from Women’s and Gender Studies core and cross-listed classes. At least 15 credits in the major must be taken in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in residence at UWM. Completion of WGS 411 and either WGS 500 or WGS 501 satisfies the L&S research requirement. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 in UWM major courses attempted. In addition, the College requires that students attain a 2.0 GPA in all major courses attempted, including any transfer work. Majors should consult regularly with their advisor in Women's and Gender Studies about their course of study.
The major requires completion of the following courses offered through Women’s and Gender Studies:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Select one of these two: 1 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Social Science Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Humanities Perspective | ||
| WGS 211 | Foundations of Women's and Gender Studies Scholarship | 3 |
| WGS 301 | Queer Theory | 3 |
| WGS 401 | Global Feminisms | 3 |
| WGS 410 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| WGS 411 | Women's and Gender Studies Research Methods: | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Internship in Women's and Gender Studies | ||
| Independent Reading (taken in the senior year) | ||
Any upper-level (numbered 300 and above) WGS or Women's and Gender Studies-related course approved by the Women's and Gender Studies Chair or Assistant Chair (Undergraduate Advisor) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Social Science Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies: | ||
| Advanced Humanities Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies: | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits (see below) | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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Students may not receive credit for both WGS 200 and WGS 201. Only one of these courses can be taken for credit.
Electives
Students must take 12 credits of approved elective courses to reach a total of 36 credits. Approved electives include WGS courses and courses offered by other programs and departments; see the list of approved courses below.
Numerous courses in a wide variety of disciplines have been approved as electives for the WGS major. For information about whether a special topics course in another program might be approved as an elective for WGS, please contact Women's and Gender Studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WGS 150 | Multicultural America | 3 |
| WGS 192 | First-Year Seminar: | 3 |
| WGS 199 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| WGS 297 | Study Abroad: | 1-12 |
| WGS 301 | Queer Theory | 3 |
| WGS 302 | Gendered Bodies: | 3 |
| WGS 303 | Feminist Activism and Movements: | 3 |
| WGS 380 | Honors Seminar in the Social Sciences: | 3 |
| WGS 381 | Honors Seminar in the Humanities: | 3 |
| WGS 402 | Capstone Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies: | 3 |
| WGS 497 | Study Abroad: | 1-12 |
| AFRIC 250 | Black Women and White Women in the Contemporary United States | 3 |
| AFRIC 344 | Global Black Social Movements | 3 |
| AFRIC 350 | The Black Family | 3 |
| AFRIC 351 | Sexuality, Gender, and Health in Africa and the Diaspora | 3 |
| AFRIC 352 | Extended Families in Black Societies | 3 |
| AFRIC 414 | The Black Woman in America, Africa, and the Caribbean | 3 |
| AFRIC 417 | Race, Class and Gender in Southern Africa | 3 |
| AFRIC 418 | Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| ANTHRO 250 | Women's Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective | 3 |
| BIO SCI 206 | Biology of Women | 3 |
| BUS ADM 441 | Diversity in Organizations | 3 |
| COMMUN 401 | Communication in Marital and Family Relationships | 3 |
| COMMUN 402 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| COMMUN 474 | Rhetoric of Women's Rights in the US | 3 |
| CRM JST 385 | Women and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRM JST 416 | Domestic Violence Research | 3 |
| ECON 248 | Economics of Discrimination | 3 |
| ED POL 624 | Gender and Education | 3 |
| ENGLISH 243 | Introduction to Literature by Women: | 3 |
| ENGLISH 295 | Women and Film 1 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 395 | Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: 2 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 465 | Women Writers: | 3 |
| ENGLISH 628 | Seminar in Literature by Women: | 3 |
| ENGLISH 629 | Seminar in Literature and Sexuality: | 3 |
| ETHNIC 255 | Migration and Gender: Starbucks, Sex Trafficking, and Nannies | 3 |
| ETHNIC 275 | Queer Migrations | 3 |
| ETHNIC 325 | Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Milwaukee: | 3 |
| FILMSTD 295 | Women and Film 1 | 3 |
| FILMSTD 395 | Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: 2 | 3 |
| FILMSTD 669 | Screening Sexuality: | 3 |
| GEOG 410 | Gendered Geographies | 3 |
| HIST 141 | Global History of the Family, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 |
| HIST 241 | Women and Gender in Europe: 1350 to 1750 | 3 |
| HIST 242 | Women and Gender in Europe: 1750 to the Present | 3 |
| HIST 243 | History of Women in American Society | 3 |
| HIST 271 | The 1960s in the United States: A Cultural History | 3 |
| HIST 355 | Modern and Contemporary France | 3 |
| HIST 373 | Topics in Gender and History: | 3 |
| HIST 468 | The American Feminist Movement | 3 |
| JAMS 111 | Gender and the Media | 3 |
| JEWISH 332 | Women in the Bible | 3 |
| LGBT 200 | Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | 3 |
| LGBT 275 | Queer Migrations | 3 |
| LGBT 290 | Topics in LGBT Studies: | 3 |
| LGBT 599 | Selected Topics in LGBT Studies: | 3 |
| LINGUIS 212 | Language and Gender | 3 |
| MUSIC 449 | Women in Music: | 3 |
| NURS 204 | Global Maternal and Child Health: From Evidence to Action | 3 |
| NURS 327 | Nursing Science III: Health Concepts-Women & Children | 4 |
| NURS 620 | Global Food Security and Systems | 3 |
| PHILOS 235 | Philosophical Aspects of Feminism | 3 |
| POL SCI 110 | Sex and Power | 3 |
| POL SCI 368 | Gender and Politics in Developing Nations | 3 |
| POL SCI 425 | Women in Politics | 3 |
| POL SCI 464 | Sex, Gender, and the Law | 3 |
| PSYCH 319 | LGBTIQ Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 320 | Psychology of Gender | 3 |
| SOCIOL 250 | Sex and Gender | 3 |
| SOCIOL 255 | Sociology of Sexuality | 3 |
| SOCIOL 260 | Blood, Sex, Money, Power: Families and Intimate Relationships | 3 |
| SOCIOL 442 | The Work-Family Intersection | 3 |
| SOCIOL 444 | Sociology of the Body | 3 |
| SOC WRK 630 | Families and Poverty | 2-3 |
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ENGLISH 295 and FILMSTD 295 are jointly offered. In other words, they are the same course offered under different subjects. Only one can be taken for credit.
- 2
ENGLISH 395 and FILMSTD 395 are jointly offered. In other words, they are the same course offered under different subjects. Only one can be taken for credit.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors, and success coaches. Letters and Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional College Advisors and Faculty Advisors. L&S College Advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental Faculty Advisors focus on the major.
College Advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College Advisors will:
- assist you in defining your academic and life goals;
- help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals;
- assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures;
- provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate; and
- monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty Advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a Faculty Advisor when you declare your major. Faculty Advisors are an important partner and will:
- help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department;
- explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences; and
- serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their College Advisor and Faculty Advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Honors in the Major
Women's and Gender Studies majors who have maintained at least a 3.000 GPA overall, 3.500 GPA in all courses attempted for the major, and a 3.500 GPA in advanced-level (numbered 300 and above) courses that count toward the major are eligible to graduate with honors in the major. Students who believe they may qualify to graduate with honors in the major should apply to the Assistant Chair of Women's and Gender Studies.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.