Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies
Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies (GWST) is an interdisciplinary program offering diverse undergraduate and graduate coursework, a minor for undergraduates, support for faculty research and curricular development, and opportunities to collaborate with community and campus partners who are intrigued by how gender shapes the world. Faculty and courses from twelve departments across the university contribute to the program.
As part of our academic and advocacy mission, we offer a minor through the College of Arts and Sciences that is open to all undergraduates regardless of major. It consists of 15 credit hours. In addition to two required courses in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies (GWST 2113 Transnational Women's Studies (S) or GWST 2123 Introduction to Gender Studies (DH); and either GWST 4113 Feminist Theories or GWST 4503 Theorizing Men and Masculinities, students choose from other GWST courses (6 hours), and from classes that complement gender, women's and women’s studies (3 hours).
Students in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies pursue research in the history of women, in theories of gender, in feminism, in the cultural construction of masculinity, and in the cross-cultural intersections of race, class, nationality and sexuality. Work in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies can lead to and enrich a wide variety of careers, including nonprofit development, graduate training in humanities and the social sciences, education, curatorial administration, human resources, creative writing and reportage, international relations, publishing, public relations, and electoral politics and advocacy. Let us know how we can assist you with planning courses that work for your future!
GWST 2113 Transnational Women's Studies (S)
Description: Introduction to research on women and gender in transnational contexts. Interpersonal relationships, socioeconomic status, power and authority as women experience them, myths and realities among women of different races, classes, ethnicities, sexual orientation, nationalities, ages, and physical ability. Previously offered as WMST 2113.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Social & Behavioral Sciences
GWST 2123 Introduction to Gender Studies (DH)
Description: Introduction to critical thinking about the construction of gender and the intersections of gender with race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality. Basic methods of studying gender from an interdisciplinary humanities perspective. Previously offered as WMST 2123.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity, Humanities
GWST 3443 Gender Relations in Chinese History (H)
Description: This course examines men's and women's social, cultural, religious, political, economic, family, and sexual experiences in Chinese hist; particularly women's own voices and efforts in pursuing their own goals and aspirations. Same course as HIST 3443.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Humanities
GWST 3450 Topics in Gender Studies
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123 or permission of instructor.
Description: Suggested topics include: women and health, women and science, women and religion. Previously offered as WMST 3450. Offered for fixed credit, 3 credit hours, maximum of 12 credit hours.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 3513 Theorizing Sexualities (D)
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123.
Description: Examination of poststructuralist and/or feminist theories of sexualities in contexts of film, literature, history, or popular culture. Likely theorists include Foucault, Butler, D'Emilio, Lorde, Kristeva, Anzaldua, Chow, and/or Chauncey. Previously offered as WMST 3513.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity
GWST 3523 Gender and Religion Across Cultures (H)
Description: This course explores the interconnectedness of gender, religion, and culture both locally and globally. We will critically analyze how religious ideas, events, texts and traditions inform individual identities, gender discourse, gender roles, as well as issues of power, privilege and oppression within different religious communities around the world. Same course as REL 3523 and GEOG 3523.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Humanities
GWST 3553 LGBTQ Lives in the United States (D)
Description: Introduction to the Study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer+ (LGBTQ) experiences, representations, cultural practices, and resistance to oppression in the contemporary United States.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity
GWST 3613 Race and Reproduction in the U.S. (D)
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123 recommended.
Description: An interdisciplinary examination of the inextricable relationship between race relations and reproductive politics. Issues explored include malthusianism, sterilization abuse, criminalizing pregnancy, natalism and nationalism, eugenics, the role of women of color in campaigns for reproductive justice, and representations of motherhood.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity
GWST 3713 Gender and Representation (D)
Description: Cultural analysis of gender representation and gender relations. Using cultural texts and practices in several areas such as children's culture, sport, music, film and TV. Previously offered as WMST 3713.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity
GWST 3813 Mothering
Description: This course offers an interdisciplinary study of motherhood and mothering, exploring its social and cultural contours, diverse representations, and varied practices from GWST, feminist, intersectional, and LGBTQ perspectives.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 3913 Gender, Violence & Justice (D)
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity
GWST 4013 Approaches to Feminist Research
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123 or consent of instructor.
Description: Examines the ethics and epistemologies of methodologies and theoretical frameworks most conducive to feminist analysis. This course prepares students to conceptualize their own research projects. Previously offered as WMST 4013. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 5013.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 4113 Feminist Theories
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123 or consent of instructor.
Description: Examines the different types of feminist theories and the role theory plays in the production of knowledge. A variety of feminist theories will be considered from an interdisciplinary perspective. Previously offered as WMST 4113. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 5113.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 4333 History of Sexuality in the United States (D)
Description: This course examines the history of sexuality in the U.S. from the 16th century to the present. It considers how social, cultural, political, and economic conditions have affected changing meanings of sexuality over time. It takes an intersectional approach, paying particular attention to how issues of race, class, and gender have shaped attitudes towards and experiences of sexuality in the American past. Same course as HIST 4333.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Diversity
GWST 4413 Sex & Gender in the Medieval World
Description: Historical attitudes toward sex and gender history in medieval Europe. Interdisciplinary approach also including cultural, social, economic and religious history. Same course as HIST 4413.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 4503 Theorizing Men and Masculinities
Prerequisites: GWST 4113 or permission of instructor.
Description: Examines the roles of men in various cultural contexts, the historical development of manhood as an ideal, and theories of masculinities. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 5503.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 4613 Women in the Bible (H)
Description: This course will examine the stories about and portrayals of women in the Bible. We will explore what the biblical authors have to say about women within their cultural contexts and how these portrayals have shaped how women are seen in Western society. By analyzing the portrayals of women in antiquity, the course will also provide conceptual tools to help students examine how gender has been understood in Western society. Same course as REL 4613.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
General Education and other Course Attributes: Humanities
GWST 4890 Internship in Gender and Women's Studies
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Description: Directed practicum or internship experience in a GWST related professional work setting. Students must have an approved internship that will provide gender and women’s studies experience beyond that available in the classroom. Students produce written analyses of their work and learning under the guidance of the instructor and internship site supervisor. Offered for variable credit, 1-9 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-9
Contact hours: Contact: 1-9 Other: 1-9
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Independent Study
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 4950 Special Topics in Global Feminism
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123 or permission of instructor.
Description: Selected topics in the problems and issues of global women's and feminist activism. Highlights the continuing fight to secure gender equality, especially in developing nations. Exploration of the women's movement links with other human rights struggles across the globe. Previously offered as WMST 4950. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 5950. Offered for 3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 4990 Directed Readings in Gender Studies
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Description: Examines gender studies issues and topics. Previously offered as WMST 4990. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 5990. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 12 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-3
Contact hours: Lecture: 1-3 Contact: 1-3
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5013 Approaches to Feminist Research
Description: Examines the epistemologies, theoretical frameworks, and ethics of methodologies conducive to feminist analysis. This course prepares students to conceptualize and undertake their own research projects. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 4013.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5103 Gender and Sexuality
Description: This course offers an interdisciplinary survey of major works and key concepts in the field of Gender and Women's Studies.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5113 Feminist Theory
Description: Examines diverse feminist theories and their role in the production of knowledge. A variety of contemporary feminist theories will be considered from an interdisciplinary perspective. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 4113.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5300 Seminar in Gender and Women's Studies
Description: This course will offer a topics-based graduate colloquium in the interdisciplinary and international field of Gender and Women's Studies. Potential topics include Gender and Modern War, Feminist Aesthetics, Sexuality and Space, Cold War Masculinities, and Gender and International Relations. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-3
Contact hours: Lecture: 1-3 Contact: 1-3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5503 Theorizing Men and Masculinities
Prerequisites: GWST 4113 or permission of instructor.
Description: Examines the roles of men in various cultural contexts, the historical development of manhood as an ideal, and theories of masculinities. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 4503.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5913 Gender, Violence and Justice
Description: This course provides a transnational, intersectional examination of gender-based violence and varied forms of justice. Issues explored might include violence against women, domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual harassment, policing, incarceration, as well as anti-violence activism and alternatives to criminal legal system. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 3913.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5950 Special Topics in Global Feminism
Prerequisites: GWST 2113 or GWST 2123 or permission of instructor.
Description: Selected topics in the problems and issues of global women's and feminist activism. Highlights the continuing fight to secure gender equality, especially in developing nations. Exploration of the women's movement links with other human rights struggles across the globe. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 4950. Offered for 3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
GWST 5990 Directed Readings in Gender and Women's Studies
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Description: Specialized readings or independent study in GWST. May not be used for degree credit with GWST 4990. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-3
Contact hours: Contact: 1-3 Other: 1-3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Independent Study
Department/School: Dean of Arts & Science
Lucy E. Bailey, Ph.D.—Director and Professor
For program information, please contact lucy.bailey@okstate.edu
Assistant Professor of Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies: Dr. Corinne Schwarz
Assistant Professor of Gender, Women's & Sexuality Studies and Africana Studies: Dr. Reanae McNeal
Professor of Art History, Core faculty in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies: Dr. Jennifer Borland
Professor of American Studies and History, Core faculty in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies: Dr. John Kinder
Professor of English, Core faculty in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies: Dr. Carol Moder
Professor of American Studies and English, Core faculty in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies: Dr. Stacy Takacs