Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program
Undergrad major Undergrad minorSee how social transformation is possible.
Learn to think critically about gender and sexuality, challenge social inequality, and become an ethical problem-solver. UWL's Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies program allows students to study the diversity of human experience by uncovering hidden histories. Through the program, students understand themselves, their place in the world, and how social transformation is possible.
UWL's program provides students with opportunities to develop research and communication skills and creatively use the knowledge and practices of the discipline. Students have the opportunity to connect feminist theory with community needs through internships, involvement with the College Feminists, and other campus and community leadership opportunities.
What is Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies?
UWL's Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to:
- Examine the meaning of gender as a socially constructed category
- Explore the roles of institutional structures on all gender identities in national and international contexts
- Critique the way society and knowledge, itself, has been organized.
Careers in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
WGSS evaluates how cultural definitions of people have shaped most fields of study and most professions. It provides material and techniques to correct biases and to create more accurate and empowering models of people, culture and society. Because of its emphasis on communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, WGSS courses and programs are valuable in a broad range of careers in areas such as the arts, business, education, law, health professions, social advocacy, and social work.
The Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies major qualifies students to pursue advanced degrees in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, or Sexuality Studies, as well as a variety of related fields. The minor enhances qualifications for advanced degrees in many related fields.
- Business, management, personnel
- Counseling and social work
- Education
- Effective and global citizenship
- Health sciences and health care
- Political science, law, and public policy
What distinguishes UWL's Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program?
The department provides excellent one- on-one advising about courses and career development.
The department strongly encourages and facilitates student participation in internships that provide practical experience applying concepts, knowledge, and skills. Internship opportunities in the past have included locations such as New Horizons Shelter and Women’s Center, Bluff Country Family Resources, 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection and more.
The WGSS Department sponsors or co-sponsors many programs about women and women’s concerns, gender, and sexuality. WGSS events are free and open to students, faculty, staff, and the community.
This semester-long program concentrates on critical reading, writing, and thinking to prepare low-income people, often single parents, for successful college work. Classes meet one night per week and child care is provided. SSP also provides internship opportunities for women’s studies students.
The mission of the College Feminists is to provide students as well as the La Crosse community with advocacy on women’s and gender issues. College Feminists initiates activities for UWL students and the La Crosse community and collaborates with many other student clubs on campus to provide rich educational opportunities outside the classroom as well as fun socializing.
Sample courses
WGS 315 History of Feminist Thought An examination of the history of feminist ideas in the United States and the historical context, both western and international, from which they emerged. (Cross-listed with HIS/WGS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Alternate Years.
WGS 130 Women's Diversity: Race, Class, and Culture This course explores the diversity of women's experience in America as it has been affected by race, ethnicity, class, and other factors, and the effects of gender on women of different groups. Issues that have united and divided women in movements for social change are also addressed. Offered Fall, Spring.
WGS 105 Introduction to LGBT Studies This course will examine the cultural, legal, and political dimensions of LGBT life in the U.S. It will begin by exploring the social invention of heterosexuality and how personal and institutional interpretations of sexuality have historically informed the lives of LGBT people. The course also addresses class, racial and gender biases that especially confront queer communities of color in the U.S. Finally, the course looks at continued instances of hate crimes and homophobia against the backdrop of rights-based activism and the role that art and politics play in this interplay. (Cross-listed with SOC/WGS; may only earn credit in one department.) Offered Alternate Years.
