Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Chair: Lin Aanonsen (Biology)

Core Faculty: Corie Hammers, Sonita Sarker, Ryan Murphy

Steering Committee: Joanna Inglott (Art and Art History), Beth Severy-Hoven (Classics), Rebecca Hoye (Chemistry), Joan Ostrove (Psychology)

Contributing Faculty: Devavani Chatterjea (Biology), Adrienne Christiansen (Political Science), Beth Cleary (Theatre and Dance), Paula Cooey (Religious Studies), Erik Davis (Religious Studies), Julie Dolan (Political Science), Paul Dosh (Political Studies), Susanna Drake (Religious Studies), Ruthann Godollei (Art and Art History), Duchess Harris (American Studies), Lynn Hudson (History), Joanna Inglot (Art and Art History), Elizabeth Jansen (Biology), Zornitsa Keremidchieva (Political Science), Mahnaz Kousha (Sociology), Theresa Krier (English), Ruthann Kurth-Schai (Educational Studies), Teresa Mesa Adamuz (Hispanic and Latin American Studies), Karine Moe (Economics), Lara Nielsen (Theatre and Dance), Joan Ostrove (Psychology), Roopali Phadke (Environmental Studies), Peter Rachleff (History), Khaldoun Samman (Sociology), Beth Severy-Hoven (Classics), Dianna Shandy (Anthropology), Jaine Strauss (Psychology), Satoko Suzuki (Asian Languages and Cultures), Joëlle Vitiello (French and Francophone Studies), Wendy Weber (Political Science), Christine Willcox (Art and Art History), Xin Yang (Asian Languages and Cultures).

In the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department (WGSS) at Macalester College, students investigate key questions raised within feminist and queer theories and the fields of women’s, transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay studies. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary field interlinking the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts. Through a rich array of core and crosslisted courses, students examine interlocking systems of cultural and political difference based on gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, ethnicity, and ability, through comparative national and transnational perspectives; and develop practical and theoretical skills for understanding and engaging the historical, social, cultural, economic, and political contexts shaping our world. The department strongly encourages students to engage diverse communities at Macalester and beyond, and supports students in completing independent research, internships, study away, and senior and honors projects. Our graduates have applied their work in a wide variety of careers in academia, literature and the arts, law, politics, business, health and medicine, and non-profit work.

Please visit www.macalester.edu/wgs for more information on core and cross-listed courses, and on other aspects of department life.

General Distribution Requirement

WGSS 105 , WGSS 210 , WGSS 220 , WGSS 310 , and WGSS 315 count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities. WGSS 101 , WGSS 102 , WGSS 305 , and WGSS 405 count toward the social science distribution requirement. WGSS 252 and WGSS 262 count toward the general distribution requirement in fine arts. WGSS 117 counts toward the math/natural science distribution requirement. Courses in the department numbered WGSS 200 , WGSS 300 and WGSS 400 will count toward either the humanities or social science distribution requirement, depending on the subject matter. Any topics courses (WGSS 194 , WGSS 294 , WGSS 394 , WGSS 494 ) require approval by the department to qualify for general distribution credit. Courses approved for women’s, gender, and sexuality studies offered through other departments meet the general distribution requirements of that department.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism, and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Honors Program

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department participates in the honors program and strongly encourages its majors to consider doing an honors project for their senior year. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, and specific project expectations for the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department are available on the department website (http://www.macalester.edu/wgs) or from the Director of Academic Programs.

Topics Courses

WGSS 194 , WGSS 294 , WGSS 394 , WGSS 494

Examination of special topics of interest to faculty and students. Occasionally offered. (4 credits)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.