Minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

wgss logo

The WGSS minor consists of 15 units and works well with most majors to emphasize critical thinking and analytical skills. In addition to the courses offered by the WGSS program, a variety of courses on women, gender, and sexuality are offered by other departments. Interest students should consult with a WGSS program faculty member for advising and approval of the program. 

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at San José State is committed to intersectional and interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching based on feminist frameworks. WGSS curriculum investigates how gender and gender identity, race, class, sexuality, and nation shape lives. The program emphasizes the importance of an intersectional understanding of gender as integral to social and political structures of power. Students will obtain skills to cultivate critical thinking, cultivation of dialogue, coalition building, appreciation of diversity, and contribution to social change based on feminist frameworks. The goal of the WGSS program includes integrating the academic and experiential, thereby contributing to social change and justice. 

For requirements of the minor, please see the current course catalog.

WGSS Program Learning Outcomes

The learning objectives of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program includes the cultivation of critical thinking skills, cultivation of dialogue, coalition building, appreciation of diversity, and contribution to social change based on feminist frameworks.

Upon graduation, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies students are expected to be able to:

  1. Identify and analyze the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, class, and nation social and institutional contexts.
  2. Identify and describe major theories and political movements central to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, placing contemporary developments in cultural, historical, environmental, and embodied contexts.
  3. Describe the global span of feminist movements and the connection among gender and sexual minorities around the world.
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking and research skills through written, oral and creative means.

Program Coordinator

Dr. Tanya Bakhru
408-924-5744

tanya.bakhru@sjsu.edu
DMH 213
See Professor Bakhru’s current office hours here.