Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Explore Gender, Identity, and Social Justice

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS) minor at Miami University is an interdisciplinary program grounded in womanist and feminist theory, scholarship, and research. Courses center women and marginalized genders as subjects of inquiry and build critical thinking, analytical writing, and research skills applicable to careers in education, healthcare, business, law, public service, and nonprofit leadership. Students explore how gender and sexuality intersect with race, ethnicity, class, and other social identities, shaping individual experiences, institutions, and workplaces.

Open to students in all majors, the WGS minor addresses the historical underrepresentation of women’s voices and gender studies in traditional curricula and provides an academic framework where these perspectives are essential. Students are encouraged to select courses with a WGS adviser and may petition to earn credit for approved practicums or internships. WGS courses may also fulfill departmental, college, or Miami Plan requirements.

Eligibility

A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for all courses in this minor. Courses must be taken for a grade (not credit/no-credit). Students planning to take this minor should consult with the Lead Departmental Adviser.

Total required credits: 18 semester hours.

WGS Minor Courses and Curriculum

The minor includes an interdisciplinary core of study in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, feminist and womanist theory, intersectionality, social justice, cultural analysis, and critical research methodologies.

• WGS/ENG 368 Women and Gender in Film
• WGS/PHL 355 Feminist Theory
• WGS/CRE 437 Black Feminist Theory
• WGS 401 Women, Gender, and Sexuality in a Transforming Society