Degree Requirements

Major

Ten courses that must include:

• WST 201 Foundations in Women’s Studies
• a mid-level course in feminist theory or feminist philosophy selected from an approved list
• WST 485 (seminar)
• WST 199 or WST 399 (internships). WEC majors may take WST 499 (Independent Study) with a practical application in lieu of WST 199/399; interested students should speak with the WST Director.
• Six electives selected from approved women’s studies courses:
  • one course with a racial, ethnic, or global emphasis
  • one course with a sexuality emphasis
  • at least three upper division courses

Students may take courses at any of the colleges participating in the Women’s Studies program. However, at least three courses must be completed at Augsburg. Each student’s program must have the written approval of the Women’s Studies program coordinator.

Both majors and minors are encouraged to participate in one of the gender-focused semester study abroad programs offered through Augsburg’s Center for Global Education. Two programs have been pre-approved for Women’s Studies credit: Crossing Borders: Gender and Social Change in Mesoamerica (offered fall semester) and Migration and Globalization: Engaging Our Communities (offered spring semester).

The Speaking, Writing, and Critical Thinking graduation skills are embedded at all levels and are met by completing the major. The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) graduation skill can be met by completing GST 200. Transfer students must consult an advisor about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.

Minor in Women’s Studies

Five courses that must include:

• WST 201: Foundations in Women’s Studies
• three electives, one of which must be upper division
• WST 485 or 499

Courses may be taken from the other ACTC colleges as well as Augsburg. Each student’s program must have the written approval of the Women’s Studies program coordinator.

Minor or Concentration in Sexuality Studies

(Women’s Studies Majors must take a Concentration, rather than a Minor, in Sexuality Studies). The five credit minor/concentration in Sexuality Studies offers students the opportunity to explore the history, social construction, and physiology of sexuality and to examine the cultural meanings of gender, sexual orientation, and sexual practice on a global level. Students are required to take three core courses plus two electives (one of which must be upper division), as follows:

Core Courses in Sexuality Studies

• WST 201 Foundations in Women’s Studies

• SOC 266 Sociology of Sexualities

• WST 305 Issues in Queer Studies

Elective Courses in Sexuality Studies

• WST 281 Topics: Sexuality and Gender: A Global Perspective
• HPE 316 Human Sexuality
• WST 315 Margins as Center: Feminist Theory
• WST 281/481 Topics: GLBT Issues in a Global Context (in Mexico)

Minor or Concentration in Global Women’s and Gender Studies

(Women’s Studies Majors must take a Concentration, rather than a Minor, in Global Women’s and Gender Studies). The five credit minor/concentration in Global Women’s and Gender Studies offers students the opportunity to focus on women’s roles, experiences, and world views in a global context. Students are required to take three core courses plus two electives (one of which must be upper division), as follows:

Core Courses in Global Women’s and Gender Studies:

• WST 201 Foundations in Women’s Studies
• WST 315 Margins as Center: Feminist Theory
• POL 359 Topics: Women in Comparative Politics

Elective Courses in Global Women’s and Gender Studies:

• WST 281 Topics: Sexuality and Gender: A Global Perspective
• WST 281/481 Topics: GLBT Issues in a Global Context (CGE)
• WST 313 Environmental Issues in Latin America: Environmental Theology and Ethics (CGE)
• WST 362 Walking the Truth: Culture, Gender and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
• WST 341 Globalization, Social Struggles and the Environment (CGE)
• WST 357 Mexican History, Culture and Cosmovision (CGE)
• WST 359 Women, Gender and Social Change in Latin America (CGE)
• WST 366 Liberationist, Feminist, Queer, & Postcolonial Theologies in Latin America (CGE)
• AIS 208/408 Native American Women and Film
• AIS 233 Women: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
• AIS 305 Indigenous Issues of Central America
• AIS 320 American Indian Women
• ENL 365 Contemporary Post Colonial Fiction
• HIS 195/INS 233 Promoting Justice and Seeking Equality: Globalization and Women’s Grassroots Movements in Latin America/Women in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad or to take at least one travel seminar.

Transfer Students
Students who transfer to Augsburg College and wish to complete a major or minor in Women’s Studies are urged to consult with the director of Women’s Studies immediately upon transfer. The Women’s Studies program has an articulation agreement with Century College and with Inver Hills Community College that govern students from these institutions with a Women’s Studies certificate who transfer to Augsburg. Transfers from other colleges and universities must consult with the director of Women’s Studies for approval of courses for the major or minor.