Students work with the Gender Studies Program Advisor and faculty affiliates to develop a program of study tailored to their interests in Gender Studies. Students meet AOC requirements by completing courses offered by the Gender Studies and cross-listed and Gender Studies-eligible courses (a roster of 20+ courses are offered each semester), as well as tutorials and ISPs. In what follows, a “course-equivalent” is defined as an activity representing a full term of work (i.e., a semester-long course, tutorial, or IRP, or alternatively, a January-term ISP, which consists of an intensive monthlong single activity).
The Course Schedule identifies two kinds of cross-listed classes: those that are automatically counted towards fulfilling the Gender Studies requirements and those that are designated as Gender Studies-eligible courses, for which the instructor’s permission must be requested and granted early in that term. Additional or specialized coursework in Gender Studies may take the form of group tutorials or Independent Research Projects, January Interterm Projects (ISPs), volunteer work or internships and other practical experiences, and of course, Senior Projects, including theses.
The Senior Project may be sponsored by any member of the faculty, but at least one committee member should be affiliated or core faculty in Gender Studies and agree to be responsible for evaluating the gender component(s) of the project.
Internships and volunteer service-learning opportunities are recommended for students completing the Joint-Disciplinary AOC and required for the full AOC. Faculty and CEO can help students find local or national placements.
We also encourage students to pursue Gender Studies in an international context; students should consider studying a foreign language or undertaking a semester of study abroad to enhance their understanding of gender beyond the U.S. Some cross-cultural or intersectional work is required for both Joint-Disciplinary and full AOCs.
Students generally apply for the Gender Studies AOC (joint or full) at the start of their fifth contract. Students should meet with the Program Advisor or any faculty affiliate to discuss program application or requirements. Click below to submit the application.
APPLY FOR THE GENDER STUDIES PROGRAM
Requirements may be met by courses offered by the GSP, and cross-listed or Gender Studies-eligible courses; tutorials and ISPS may also be used, with approval of the sponsoring professor and the GS Program Advisor.
Joint-Disciplinary Gender Studies AOC students need to complete at least 5 full-term equivalents, plus the thesis:
Students generally complete the full AOC requirements with between 8-10 courses, plus the thesis. In addition to the courses required for the Joint-disciplinary AOC (listed above), students must meet four additional requirements:
When undertaking courses or projects not cross-listed under Gender Studies, students must ask faculty to indicate on their term evaluation that their work fulfills Gender Studies requirements and alert the Program Advisor of this arrangement. They may then list the course on their Gender Studies Application Form and get it approved.
Humanities: Religion and Gender, Topics in Feminist Philosophy, Nineteenth-Century British and American Women Writers, Motherhood: Images and Experience.
Social Sciences: Sociology of Gender and the Body, Queer Studies, Women and Gender in China, Stigma and Prejudice, Intersectionality.
Natural Sciences: Current Issues in Human Genetics, Public Health Disparities, Sex, Gender, Mind and Brain.
The Gender Studies program values and encourages students to engage in internships and other extra-curricular activities. These opportunities allow students to gain real-world experience and to prepare for graduate school and employment. Internships are required for all students seeking the full Gender Studies Area of Concentration. Some examples of student internships include:
SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center)
Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County
Family Law Connection
ALSO Youth
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida