WGSS Majors develop theoretical fluency in research and public debates concerning gender and sexuality as connected to other systems of power, including race and racism, nation and colonialism, disability and ableism, and class and capitalism. Students are immersed in the public humanities, exploring the power of the arts and humanities in advancing social justice and belonging. They are trained as problem-solvers with a strong basis in concepts of research that seek to collaborate with marginalized communities to identify innovative solutions to pressing issues that impact women and LGBTQ+ people, with an emphasis on the context of communities of color in local and global contexts. WGSS Majors gain knowledge in research methods across the social sciences and humanities, and also applied experience through community participatory research and internships with social justice organizations.
The total number of units required for the B.A. degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is 120 units: 45 units of General Education Requirements, 24 The total number of units required for the B.A. degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is, 12 units in an Area of Emphasis, 9 units of WGSS Electives, and free electives. Studies choose an Emphasis in Feminist Studies, LGBTQ Studies, or Gender Studies. Sudents have the option to double major in WGSS and another discipline, such as Sociology, Latin American Studies, English, Philosophy or one of the Ethnic Studies degrees.
If you are an enrolled Cal State LA student, you can declare a Major in WGSS through the Arts and Letters Advisement Center, or email the Department Chair.
If you are a prospective student, you can apply for admission to Cal State LA through the CSU Apply System and select Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as your desired B.A. degree program.