Bachelor of Arts Women's Studies (BA)
Women's and Gender Studies is a multi- and interdisciplinary field of study that examines gender in historical and contemporary contexts with an emphasis on women's perspectives. We value the complex intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, nation, and other identities. We are committed to a social justice-based approach, and seek to bridge academic and community work. Contact the Women's and Gender Studies Department to speak with the Departmental Advisor, 757-683-3823.
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both ENGL 110C and the second written communication course before declaring a major.
Language and Culture: Proficiency through 102 level-BS only; Proficiency through 202 level-BA only and not met by associate degree.
Impact of Technology requirement is satisfied in the major by WGS 390T.
WGS 201S cannot be used to satisfy the Human Behavior requirement.
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major.
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study.
- Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure.
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Arts and Humanities Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major (6 hours).
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Women's Studies Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-6 | |
| Women's Studies | ||
| WGS 201S | Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| WGS 301 | Feminist Foundations | 3 |
| WGS 302W | Dimensions of Diversity: Intersectionality Among Women | 3 |
| or QUST 302W | Dimensions of Diversity: Intersectionality Among Women | |
| WGS 390T | Women, Gender, and Technology Worldwide | 3 |
| WGS 400 | History of U.S. Women's Activism | 3 |
| or HIST 363 | Women in U.S. History | |
| WGS 401W | Women: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| WGS 460W | Feminist and Queer Theory | 3 |
| or QUST 460W | Feminist and Queer Theory | |
| ENGL 463W | Women Writers | 3 |
| or ENGL 477 | Language, Gender and Power | |
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Queer Studies | ||
or QUST 303 | Queer Studies | |
| Gender and Sexuality in Film | ||
| Queer Literature | ||
or QUST 305 | Queer Literature | |
| Women, the Environment, and Climate Change | ||
| Internship | ||
| Topics in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | ||
or QUST 395 | Topics in Queer Studies | |
| Topics in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | ||
| Feminisms and Sexualities | ||
or QUST 402 | Feminisms and Sexualities | |
| Gender and Media | ||
| Gender, Fashion & the Body | ||
| Sexing the Body | ||
| Feminist Research Methods | ||
| Topics in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | ||
or QUST 495 | Topics in Queer Studies | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
Courses other than WGS approved by the department | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 80-92 | |
Electives
Elective courses may be taken for the remainder of the minimum 120 credits required for the degree.
Women's Studies as a Second Major
Students interested in Women's and Gender Studies but who already have a major may be able to fulfill their upper-division general education requirements by selecting Women's Studies as a second major. Such students must complete the same departmental requirements as those majoring solely in Women's Studies, but may count up to three Women's Studies approved courses taken for their other major toward their Women's Studies major as well. For instance, a student majoring in both Sociology and Women's Studies may count three courses (such as SOC 340, SOC 343, and SOC 427) taken toward their sociology requirements as three electives for their major in Women's Studies.
Double Majoring in Philosophy and Women's Studies
The Departments of Women's Studies and Philosophy and Religious Studies have established an arrangement that makes it possible to complete a double major in as few as 57 hours, only 9 credits more than the 48 hours needed for a major in Women's Studies and minor in Philosophy. Any four of the following courses, totaling no more than 12 credit hours, may count toward both majors. Courses "double-counted" from one major will be considered electives in the other major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 365 | Race & Power | 3 |
| PHIL 402 | Gender and Philosophy | 3 |
| REL 403 | Gender and Sexuality in Islam | 3 |
| WGS 302W | Dimensions of Diversity: Intersectionality Among Women | 3 |
| WGS 303 | Queer Studies | 3 |
| WGS 460W | Feminist and Queer Theory | 3 |
| With prior approval other courses from PHIL, REL, or WMST, such as topics courses, may be counted toward both majors. | ||
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| WGS 201S | Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Human Behavior (WGS 201S may not be used) | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Language and Culture III | 3 | |
| WGS 390T | Women, Gender, and Technology Worldwide (Meets Impact of Technology) | 3 |
| WGS 301 | Feminist Foundations | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Language and Culture IV | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| WGS 302W or QUST 302W |
Dimensions of Diversity: Intersectionality Among Women (C or better required in one of W courses) or Dimensions of Diversity: Intersectionality Among Women |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| WGS 460W or QUST 460W |
Feminist and Queer Theory or Feminist and Queer Theory |
3 |
| WGS 300/400-level course | 3 | |
| WGS 300/400-level course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 463W or ENGL 477 |
Women Writers or Language, Gender and Power |
3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| WGS 400 or HIST 363 |
History of U.S. Women's Activism or Women in U.S. History |
3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| WGS 401W | Women: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| WGS 300/400-level course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| WGS 300/400-level course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Linked BA/BS in Women's Studies and MA in Humanities
The linked program in Women's and Gender Studies and Humanities makes it possible for exceptional Women's Studies majors to count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both an undergraduate and graduate degree. Students must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). For more information consult the Humanities section of this Catalog.
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.