Why Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Guilford?
The Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program is an interdisciplinary major that examines gender as a socially created identity and a system of inequality. Throughout the program’s courses, students analyze how gender intersects with sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, religion, disability and other categories of culturally created differences to understand how these intersections result in a range of experiences and meanings for people’s daily lives. The theories and methods in the program cross a variety of disciplines, but analyzing the complexities of systems of power and oppression in people’s daily lives is central to the major.
The program requires eight courses that focus on women’s lives, women of color, and gender and sexuality concepts and theories. Students can choose from a wide selection of courses across the curriculum to fulfill the major’s requirements. This dynamic curriculum allows students flexibility in choosing courses that most interest them while at the same time providing a solid training in gender theories and concepts.
Majors and minors have opportunities to develop close relationships with professors through discussion-based, student-centered classes. WGSS encourages experiential learning, internship opportunities, independent studies, and study abroad. The program also sponsors the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies conference, where students can showcase their research and creative performances.
WGSS graduates have pursued graduate degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies or have engaged in a variety of interesting occupations such as teaching, restaurant management, graphic design, and holistic nutrition and lifestyle consulting. A recent graduate is also a member Greensboro’s new Roller Derby team, the Gate City Roller Girls!
