The Major – Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies

Requirements for the Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies Major

The GWSS major is a total of 66 credits. It requires:

One gateway course
- GWSS 110 Introduction to Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
One methodology course
- GWSS 200 Gender, Sexuality & the Pursuit of Knowledge
One intermediate course
- GWSS 212 Foundations of LGBTQ Studies
One theory seminar
- GWSS 312 Queer and Trans Theory
- GWSS 334 Feminist Theory (not offered in 2022-23)
One Capstone Seminar
- GWSS 398 Capstone: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Popular Culture
- GWSS 398 Capstone: Transnational Feminist Activism (not offered in 2022-23)
- GWSS 398 Capstone: Schooling Sex: History of Sex Education & Instruction (not offered in 2022-23)
Comprehensive Exercise, GWSS 400
In addition to the five required courses and comps listed above (36 credits), students must complete an additional five electives (30 credits) from the GWSS Elective/Additional Courses List below. These 30 credits must be spread across at least two disciplines and include:
- One 300-level elective and
- Four any-level* electives (*Max two 100-level elective courses can count toward the major)

Please note: a variety of courses are taught by visitors or offered only occasionally. These courses may still be considered. Contact the director for consideration of other courses to satisfy this requirement.

Students will plan courses in consultation with the Program Director or a designated faculty adviser when they declare their major, and review their plan each term. The major they design should provide both breadth of exposure to Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies across fields and depth of study in one discipline (normally at least two courses in one area or from one department).

OCS Programs: You may count up to two 6 credit courses taken on either Carleton or non-Carleton OCS programs toward the requirements of the GWSS major or minor. OCS program courses cannot be substituted for core GWSS courses on campus and will only count towards GWSS electives. Two courses from Carleton’s Women’s & Gender Studies in Europe program can count as two GWSS elective courses. Students will need to get all OCS program courses approved by the director of GWSS.

Requirements for the Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies Major

GWSS Elective/Additional Courses List