# 2026-2027 Course Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/minors/gender-womens-studies/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/

*for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies*

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A minor in GWS provides complementary tools for many majors in the humanities, arts and sciences. The minor advocates actively reading, questioning, challenging, and understanding racialized, sexualized, and gendered bodies. The Department of Gender and Women’s Studies must approve a student's minor course plan. Students must register their minor with the Gender and Women's Studies advisor.

*for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies*

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At least 6 hours of advanced coursework must be distinct from credit earned for the student's major or another minor.

Course List

     | Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Select two of the following: | | 6 |
| [GWS 201](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20201 "GWS 201") | Race, Gender & Power |  |
| [GWS 202](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20202 "GWS 202") | Sexualities |  |
| [GWS 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20350 "GWS 350") | Feminist & Gender Theory |  |
| Additional Coursework- At least 9 additional hours of coursework offered by the Gender and Women’s Studies Department at the 300- or 400-level. Required courses consist of a selected list of courses offered by the Department of Gender & Women's Studies; they are on an approved list maintained in the department office and with the GWS advisor. 1 | | 9 |
| 3 hours of area electives at any level. For a list of approved courses contact the GWS department office or the GWS advisor. | | 3 |
| Total Hours | | 18 |

1
:   *Topics courses ([GWS 395](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20395 "GWS 395"), [GWS 495](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20495 "GWS 495")) may count up to 3 hours toward additional coursework with consent of the GWS advisor. [GWS 390](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20390 "GWS 390") or [GWS 490](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=GWS%20490 "GWS 490") may count up to 3 hours toward additional coursework with consent of the GWS advisor.*

*for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies*

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Students completing the minor will be able to:

1. **Demonstrate foundational knowledge** of key concepts in Gender and Women’s Studies, including feminist movements, intersectionality, queer and trans studies, and feminist and queer theories.
2. **Apply introductory feminist and queer frameworks** to support critical inquiry, creative thinking, and effective oral and written communication.
3. **Identify how gender and related forms of difference**—including race, indigeneity, religion, nation, disability, and sexuality—shape social, cultural, political, and aesthetic claims.
4. **Demonstrate self-reflexivity** regarding their own social positions and engage constructively in classroom or community settings informed by feminist commitments to equity and care.
5. **Explain how global social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental forces** influence experiences across different contexts, using basic indigenous, postcolonial, or transnational feminist and queer perspectives.

*for the Undergraduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies*

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## [Department of Gender & Women's Studies](https://gws.illinois.edu/)

[Gender & Women's Studies faculty](https://gws.illinois.edu/directory/faculty)\
[gws-email@illinois.edu](mailto:gws-email@illinois.edu)

## [College of Liberal Arts & Sciences](https://las.illinois.edu/)

**Overview of College Admissions & Requirements:** [Liberal Arts & Sciences](https://catalog.illinois.edu/schools/las/academic-units/)