The request to create six WGST courses and revise Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies

Date: March 23, 2016
To: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: February 19, 2016
Approved by: Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee
, Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2016

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

PROPOSED CATALOG COPY

For Undergraduate Catalog:

WGST 4151. Women, Biology and Health. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 5151. This course provides an understanding of the structure and functions of women’s bodies and examines the social, economic, environmental, behavioral and political factors associated with women’s health.

WGST 4152. Ecological Feminism. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 5152. This course examines the cultural conditions that make possible the marginalization of both women and nature, the connections between feminism and environmentalism, and the relation between the norms and practices that inform developmental and environmental policies.

WGST 4160. Race, Sexuality, and the Body. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 5160. Examines how biological, historical, and cultural interpretations of race and gender influenced and characterized definitions of sexuality and body image among persons of color.

WGST 4170. Queer Theory. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 5170. Introduction to key issues in queer theory, a field of studies that questions and redefines the identity politics of early lesbian and gay studies by investigating the socially constructed nature of identity and sexuality and critiquing normalizing ways of knowing and being.

For Graduate Catalog:

WGST 5151. Women, Biology and Health. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 4151. This course provides an understanding of the structure and functions of women’s bodies and examines the social, economic, environmental, behavioral and political factors associated with women’s health.

WGST 5152. Ecological Feminism. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 4152. This course examines the cultural conditions that make possible the marginalization of both women and nature, the connections between feminism and environmentalism, and the relation between the norms and practices that inform developmental and environmental policies.

WGST 5160. Race, Sexuality, and the Body. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 4160. Examines how biological, historical and cultural interpretations of race and gender influenced and characterized definitions of sexuality and body image among persons of color.

WGST 5170. Queer Theory. (3) Cross-listed as WGST 4170. Introduction to key issues in queer theory, a field of studies that questions and redefines the identity politics of early lesbian and gay studies by investigating the socially constructed nature of identity and sexuality and critiquing normalizing ways of knowing and being.

Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies can be earned in conjunction with master’s or doctoral work in a wide variety of subjects. The certificate can also be earned through a freestanding course of study not linked to a graduate degree. The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies will expose students from a variety of disciplines to the core theories and approaches used in studies of women, gender (which includes masculinity), feminism, and sexuality.

The certificate program is open to all students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and either:

  1. are enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program at UNC Charlotte, or
  2. have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

All students are admitted to the Graduate School in a special category for certificate programs. In addition to the general requirements for graduate certificate programs explained under the “Degree Requirements and Academic Policies” section of the Catalog, students should submit a letter explaining the applicant’s educational and work background, interests, and plans, with an emphasis on how this certificate will enhance, complement, or advance the applicant’s work and/or education. Letters of recommendation are not required.

Certificate Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies requires the completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework. This includes 2 core courses and 2 elective courses.

Core Courses (6 credit hours)

Students are required to complete two of the following courses. Students should select the courses that most closely reflect their interests.

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

Students are also required to complete two elective courses at the graduate level. Any graduate level course offered by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program will count as an elective. Elective courses can also come from other disciplines. These courses may be seminars, directed readings or directed research courses as long as they focus on women, gender, feminism, or sexuality. Students wishing to use a course offered in another department or program as an elective should have the Graduate Program Director or Director of Women’s and Gender Studies approve the course prior to enrolling in it.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is not accepted in the certificate program.