The Women, Gender and Queer Studies Associate in Arts degree, which requires 19 units in the major, offers students an interdisciplinary, social justice approach to examining the complex ways that gender informs identity, with an emphasis on the intersection of gender with other identity markers such as race, class, sexuality, ability, ethnicity, nation, and religion, in cultures around the world. A field at the forefront of multicultural and transnational scholarship, Women, Gender and Queer Studies is dynamic and constantly evolving. In WGQS core courses, students have the opportunity to study the history of women in various world cultures through the millennia, as well as historical changes in Western culture forged by the suffrage, civil rights, gay liberation, and labor movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. Students also have the opportunity to examine contemporary social justice movements and activism in their local communities and around the globe on topics ranging from voting rights to representation in government, from sex work to human trafficking, and from the wage and education gaps to the division of labor. Drawing on concepts from Global Feminist Studies and Queer Theory, WGQS courses prepare students to analyze gender and sexuality as social constructs both performative and fluid; to think critically about power dynamics based on race, gender, sexuality, social class, ability, and nation; and to develop global perspectives on inequality, development, and human rights issues. The A.A. degree in Women, Gender and Queer Studies also prepares students to contribute to dialogue on issues of fairness and justice locally, nationally, and globally. The WGQS AA program of study offers lower division courses that help students prepare for transfer to four-year institutions where students have opportunities to engage in advanced scholarship in the vibrant, expanding fields of Social Justice, Gender, Ethnic, and Global Studies leading to careers in professional fields such as humanities, law, education, psychology, administration of justice, and social work; for positions in government agencies and non-governmental organizations focused on human rights and social justice. Career Options: Education, Social Justice Studies, Civil Service, Social Work, Business, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Ethnic Studies, Management, Marketing Communications, Politics, Public Relations, Research, Teaching, Technical Communications, and Writing. Note: Some career options require more than two years of college study.
Major Core Requirements (13 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one: WGQS001 WGQS001H | Introduction to Women's Studies Honors Introduction to Women's Studies | 4 units 4 units |
| WGQS002 | Women in the Arts: Multicultural Perspectives | 3 units |
| WGQS003 | Introduction to Gender and Queer Studies | 3 units |
| WGQS004A | Women in World Cultures | 3 units |
Major Electives (6 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Only one: ANTH003 ANTH003H | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Honors Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 units 3 units |
| ARTS014 | Women in Art History | 3 units |
| CHST005 | Diversity - Childhood and Culture | 3 units |
| Only one: ENGLC1001 ENGLC1001H | Critical Thinking and Writing Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL012 ENGL012H | African American Literature Honors African American Literature | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL013 ENGL013H | U.S. Latino Literature Honors U.S. Latino Literature | 3 units 3 units |
| ENGL014 | Native American Literature | 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL018 ENGL018H | Asian American Literature Honors Asian American Literature | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL021 ENGL021H | Gender and Sexuality in Literature Honors Gender and Sexuality in Literature | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL041 ENGL041H | Literature and Film Honors Literature and Film | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL043 ENGL043H | Classical Mythology Honors Classical Mythology | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL046 ENGL046H | Contemporary American Multi-Cultural Literature Honors Contemporary American Multi-Cultural Literature | 3 units 3 units |
| Only one: ENGL049 ENGL049H | Modern Fiction Honors Modern Fiction | 3 units 3 units |
| ETHN001 | Introduction to Ethnic and Social Justice Studies | 3 units |
| HIST012 | African American History | 3 units |
| HIST014 | History of the Native North Americans | 3 units |
| HIST016 | Mexican-American History | 3 units |
| HSCI010 | Human Sexuality | 3 units |
| PSYCC1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 units |
| PSYC009 | Psychology of Women: A Multicultural Perspective | 3 units |
| SOCI002 | Social Problems | 3 units |
| SOCI028 | Sociology of Gender | 3 units |
| Complete other English courses identified in the Schedule of Classes as having a Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, or Queer Studies emphasis. Students should consult with the Chair of WGQS to determine which courses qualify in a given semester. (3 units) | ||
Total Major Units: 19 units
To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
- Completion of WVC or Cal-GETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the Cal-GETC General Education pattern.
- Complete additional degree-applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.