Skip to main content

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department

Apply Visit Request Info

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary major that examines gender and sexuality as socially created systems of identity and inequality that intersect with race, class, religion, nationality and ability. Students learn to analyze how gendered systems of power and oppression shape experiences, opportunities, social norms and social institutions, and they explore possibilities for creating liberating social change.

The program encourages internships, principled problem solving projects, independent studies, senior thesis work and study abroad. Each spring, students produce a celebratory conference at which they lead workshops and showcase their community projects, original research, theoretical work, creative productions and reflective narratives.

Graduates have attended graduate programs at Boston University, Clark, Duke, Emory, Harvard, University of Georgia, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, University of Illinois-Urbana, Vanderbilt and other respected institutions. They have established careers in communications, community organizing, market development, public relations, health care, education, management, graphic design, web production, social work and other fields.


College Catalog

For more information about courses for the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department, visit the online, searchable College Catalog. The Undergraduate Catalog also includes academic department and major information, academic regulations and resources, admission standards and requirements, and tuition, fees, and financial aid information.

Majors and Minors

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department News and Events

From Coffee to Career
From Coffee to Career

English and Media Studies major Jamie Skjoldager ’18 found the perfect path to her future in User Experience through a cup of coffee with fellow Guilfordian Mary Luong ’08.

Leading by Example
Leading by Example

Community and Justice Studies and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies double major Mattie Schaefer ’20, shares their story of growth and success as a campus leader.

The Power of Hard Work
The Power of Hard Work

Breanna Barham '22, a double major in Criminal Justice and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, plans to attend law school after completing Guilford's accelerated Master of Criminal Justice program.

Contact Us

Anna Pennell
Anna Pennell

Associate Professor for Education Studies