GWS Major
GWS Major Header Heading link
Gender and Women’s Studies (GWS) pays special attention to developing the ability of students to think critically, evaluate evidence, construct logical arguments, engage in moral reasoning, and write well. Graduates of GWS programs have found employment in such diverse fields as social services, criminal justice, publishing, teaching, educational administration, health services, and public policy advocacy. A major in GWS is a good basis from which to apply to graduate school as well as to professional schools like law and journalism.
Requirements for the GWS Major Heading link
Below are the GWS Core Courses, Breadth Courses, and Electives required of the major.
GWS Core Courses
There 4 core courses students must take as a part of the requirements for the major.
- GWS 101 – Gender in Everyday Life. 3 hours.
- GWS 102 – Global Perspectives on Women and Gender. 3 hours.
- GWS 292 – History and Theories of Feminism. 3 hours.
- GWS 390 – Feminism and Social Change. 3 hours.
GWS Breadth Courses
Student must select three courses from three of the four categories below:
- Culture and Representation
- Science, Health, and the Body
- Feminism, Social Policy, and the State
- Sexuality and Society
GWS Elective Courses
Four elective GWS or cross-listed courses are required.
Please note:
- No more than 9 hours can be at the 100-level.
- At least 6 hours must be at the 400-level
- The same course cannot count toward more than one category requirement for the major.
- No more than 3 hours of GWS 396 may be applied to the major.
- GWS 292 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
- In addition to the specified course work above, the student must fulfill certain other requirements to be awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Requirements for Graduating with Distinction
To be considered for Departmental Distinction, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.00, a grade point average of 3.50/4.00 in all Gender and Women’s Studies courses, and meet all course requirements for a major in Gender and Women’s Studies.
To be eligible for High Distinction, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.00, a grade point average of 3.75/4.00 in all Gender and Women’s Studies courses, and meet all course requirements for a major in Gender and Women’s Studies.
LAS Explore My Major
GWS 101 Student Quote Heading link
How I got to GWS 101…interested in learning about gender and how it is changing in society. I had questions in regards to how to interact and challenge different oppressions. Most importantly I wanted to open myself up to a topic I didn’t know much about.
Declare a GWS Major Heading link
Please contact Hideaki Noguchi (hnoguchi@uic.edu) in the LAS Academic Advising Office.
LAS Advising Office
University Hall, 3rd floor
601 S Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607