Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major focuses on gender and sexuality as central categories of scholarly inquiry. This interdisciplinary program, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in General Liberal Arts and Studies, emphasizes diverse perspectives on both the construction and the experience of gender and sexual identities in society, including their complex interactions with ability, age, class, ethnicity, national identity, race, and religion. Students learn to appreciate the breadth of human experience and the challenges that all people face as a consequence of their gender and sexual identities.

WGST’s interdisciplinary curriculum develops critical skills and provides a deep understanding of human dynamics that is highly valued by employers and graduate schools. Our majors acquire critical thinking, research, problem solving, leadership, and written and oral communication skills from diverse and global perspectives. WGST has a large, diverse affiliated faculty, which gives our students the opportunity to study in a variety of disciplines, and to pursue research in an area of their interest. Our majors work closely with faculty since our capstone requires one-on-one instruction. They also enjoy the flexibility to choose their specific focus/classes according to their area of interest. Finally, the department is active in placing students in internships with community partners that help them realize their career goals.

Our graduates are prepared for 21st century workplaces in arts and literature, business, community development, education, government, health and medical professions, human resources, law and media. UMW’s location between Richmond and Washington DC offers our students opportunities to intern in a variety of settings. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for corporations, government, media and non-profits; into teaching and graduate school and to volunteer in Peace Corps.