What is the Gender Studies minor?

The Gender Studies minor is an interdisciplinary course of study within which students learn about the complex interplay of biological, social, and cultural influences on women and men.  This program situates gender as an interdisciplinary area of study as well as a social location or identity that is mediated by other complex identities such as race, sexuality, and class (among others).  Therefore, the minor utilizes a liberal studies approach informed by feminist, queer, and critical race theories. 

The Gender Studies minor allows students to investigate and articulate the biological, political, social, historical and cultural repercussions of being gendered beings in a gendered society.

Why should students declare the minor?

Students who complete the requirements for the Gender Studies minor learn useful skills that broaden their understanding of their major course of study across the colleges, expand their ability to apply critical thinking skills in a variety of methodological and theoretical contexts, and create access to various career options.

The required coursework provides students with practical information about the interplay of gender, race, class and sexuality in the U.S. and globally, which empowers graduates of the minor to engage in their rapidly changing worlds with knowledge and confidence.   Furthermore, students develop the ability to identify gendered dynamics in their personal and professional lives.

What is required for the Gender Studies Minor?

The minor requires students to complete 15 hours of interdisciplinary course work, including Introduction to Gender Studies and Human Sexuality.  Beyond this, students are free to take courses ranging from Women in Politics to Literature by Women of Color and International Human Rights.

The course offerings for the Gender Studies minor change every semester.  On this page you can find a listing of the courses being offered in the upcoming semester that fulfill requirements for the minor.

SUMMER 2013

This year we have the wonderful opportunity to offer Gender Studies students a summer course focused on human trafficking, offered through the Department of Social Work, and by Professor N. Jani.  The course is SOW 4274 International Social Work (CRN 50511).  Please contact Dr. Jani with any questions: njani@fgcu.edu

Fall 2013

  Most of these courses are not in the list of approved courses, but given the content, will be counted as appropriate for fulfilling the minor requirements.

Questions?  Contact the Gender Studies Minor Coordinator: Dr. Kris De Welde, kdewelde@fgcu.edu, 239.590.7191