Gender, Sexuality, & Women's Studies, BA: Self Designed
This concentration could be met by taking 5 courses within a single field or department, or a combination of departments—such as Politics and Philosophy, or Sociology & Anthropology. Other concentrations might include Media and Communications, History and English, or thematic concentrations that could combine courses in a wide variety of fields such as Performance Studies, Migration Studies, Labor Studies, and so forth. Any self-designed concentration should be determined in consultation with the Associate Director of the program and subsequently approved by the Program’s Curriculum Committee. Please note that the title of the self-designed concentration will not appear on transcripts.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://gsws.sas.upenn.edu/program/undergraduate/major
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| GSWS 0002 | Gender and Society | 1 |
| GSWS 0003 | Introduction to Sexuality Studies and Queer Theory | 1 |
| GSWS Theory Course: | 1 | |
And courses by permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| Select 5 courses with 4 courses in at least two different departments | 5 | |
And courses by permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 4 elective courses | 4 | |
And courses by permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Reseach/Capstone Requirement | 1 | |
| GSWS Honors Thesis Seminar | ||
GSWS 4999-9999 | ||
And courses by permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Total Course Units | 33 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
Honors
Students with an overall GPA of 3.4 and 3.6 or better in the major are eligible for honors.
Concentrations
Students may select one of five concentrations:
- Feminist Studies
- Global Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Health and Disability
- LGBTQ Studies
- Self-designed
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.