Women's and Gender Studies, B.A.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Program Overview
As a major in women’s and gender studies, you will become an informed and engaged citizen. Our interdisciplinary program will help you develop the skills to examine and critique cultural, economic, historical, political, and social issues using feminist and queer philosophical paradigms. You will learn about a cross section of feminist and queer thinkers, develop expertise in methods of critical analysis, and gain a deep understanding of how gender, sexuality, race, class, religion, ethnicity, and other social factors shape access to power.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (30–32 Credits)
Students must complete parts 1 through 5 with a grade of C or higher in each course:
- WGST 1001 and two of the following:
- Two of the following:
- WGST 3115, 3117, 3118, 3119, 3121, 3135, 3137, 3150, 3152, 3222, 3224, 3228, 3238, 3332, 3333, 3355, 3441, 3610, 3710, 3715
- Africana Studies 3260 (same as English 3162 and WGST 3117)
- Africana Studies 3360 (same as WGST 3446)
- Africana Studies 3365 (same as Political Science 3412 and WGST 3447)
- Art 3089
- Classics 3238 (same as WGST 3710)
- Classics 4032 (same as WGST 3715)
- Comparative Literature 3630, Africana Studies 3246 (These courses are the same as WGST 3118.)
- English 3162 (same as Africana Studies 3260 and WGST 3117)
- English 3166 (same as WGST 3115)
- English 3187 (same as WGST 3119)
- English 4110
- Film 3122 (same as WGST 3150)
- History 3002
- History 3206 (same as WGST 3224)
- History 3328 (same as WGST 3238)
- History 3336 (same as WGST 3338)
- History 3337 (same as WGST 3333)
- History 3418 (same as WGST 3228)
- History 3545 (same as WGST 3332)
- Judaic Studies 3020 (same as WGST 3222)
- Philosophy 3306
- Philosophy 3720 (same as WGST 3135)
- Philosophy 3725 (same as WGST 3137)
- Puerto Rican and Latino Studies 2250 (same as WGST 3152 and American Studies 3310)
- Puerto Rican and Latino Studies 3205
- Television, Radio & Emerging Media 3434 (same as WGST 3121)
- Theater 3506 (same as WGST 3355)
- (Note: Women’s Studies 3115 is not open to students who completed Women’s Studies 3165 or English 3166 in fall 1993 or spring 1994.)
- WGST 3510 or WGST 3230
- Three of the following:
- WGST 3122, 3213, 3218, 3229, 3317, 3318, 3319, 3330, 3345, 3349W, 3350, 3351, 3352, 3353, 3354, 3356, 3357, 3359, 3420, 3446, 3447, 3488, 3449, 62, 3606, 3608
- Africana Studies 3362 (same as WGST 3488)
- Anthropology 3170 (same as WGST 3218)
- Anthropology 3310 (same as WGST 3213)
- Business 3245
- Business 3250 (same as WGST 3345)
- Economics 3154 (same as WGST 3317)
- Economics 3222
- Health and Nutrition Sciences 2180 (same as WGST 3606)
- Health and Nutrition Sciences 2181
- Health and Nutrition Sciences 4153 (same as WGST 3608)
- Judaic Studies 3017
- Political Science 3146 (same as WGST 3359)
- Political Science 3152 (same as WGST 3351)
- Political Science 3153 (same as WGST 3353)
- Political Science 3155 (same as WGST 3330)
- Political Science 3157 (same as WGST 3350)
- Political Science 3341 (same as WGST 3357)
- Political Science 3393W (same as WGST 3349W)
- Political Science 3411 (same as WGST 3356)
- Political Science 3412 (same as Africana Studies 3365 and WGST 3447)
- Political Science 3442 (same as WGST 3354.)
- Political Science 3446 (same as WGST 3352 and Sociology 3446)
- Psychology 3360
- Sociology 2600 (same as WGST 3420)
- Sociology 3303 (same as WGST 3122)
- Sociology 3607 (same as WGST 3229)
- Sociology 3608 (same as WGST 3319)
- Sociology 3609 (same as WGST 3318)
- WGST 4410W
Other advanced electives and special topics courses relevant to the study of women may be substituted with the permission of the program coordinator. The list of available courses may be obtained each semester in the program office.
WGST 4401, 4402, 4407, or 4408 may be used to fulfill the requirements in either section 2 or 4.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Explain how diverse identities, cultures, and societies are structured by the intersections of categories including gender, race, sexuality, class, ability, religion, global location, and colonialism past and present.
- Employ written, oral, and/or visual media to effectively communicate concepts and arguments related to gender, women, and sexualities.
- Identify and analyze social and historical relations, hierarchies of power, resistance, and movements relevant to women, gender, and sexualities.
- Work collaboratively with diverse people to design projects that further feminist ideals.
- Use feminism as both a concept and an analytical approach to study women and gender in different historical and cultural contexts.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View degree maps for this major and others.
Contact
Christopher Richards, Associate Professor
Director, Women’s and Gender Studies Program
1207 Ingersoll Hall
E: c.richards66@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5476
Or contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu
To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:
The Support You’ll Find
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members affiliated with Women’s and Gender Studies offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the women’s and gender studies B.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- ACLU
- Axia Women’s Health
- Callen-Lorde
- Housing Works
- New York–Presbyterian Hospital
- New York University Langone Hospital
- Oliver Wyman Group
- Spring Health
- United Nations
