Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Requirements

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Colby is committed to feminist anti-racist scholarship and research. We offer interdisciplinary classes that are intersectional and transnational, with commitments to critical race and critical caste scholarship, queer theory and queer of color critique, masculinity studies, Indigenous feminisms, and transnational activisms. We stress multidisciplinary methods in our coursework and provide “real world” application of WGSS knowledge—from writing grant proposals to reading alternative archives.

Our “core courses” taken by majors and minors in WGSS consist of Introduction to Women’s Studies, Feminist Theories and Methodologies, and the Senior Seminar capstone course. We add new electives each semester, but some student favorites include Queer of Color Critique and Educated Feet: Black Feminisms and Tap Dance.

A WGSS major graduates with a strong grounding in a variety of feminist research methodologies. Core courses train students in interdisciplinary methods and rigorous theoretical reading and writing. Students draw on courses in other programs and departments for training in empirical methods and for topical breadth. A WGSS major graduates having completed a program that is tailored to the student’s developing interests. Our program’s graduates are trained to think independently, courageously, and boldly about their own subjectivities and the world around them.

Chair, Professor Tariq Ahmad (Biology)  

Appointments in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: Associate Professors Sonja Thomas and Jay Sibara; Assistant Professor Laura Fugikawa

Professors with Cross-listed Courses in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: Kimberly Besio (East Asian Studies), Ben Fallaw (History and Latin American Studies), Annie Kloppenberg (Performance, Theater, and Dance), Maple Razsa (Global Studies), Tanya Sheehan (Art), Nikky-Guninder K. Singh (Religious Studies), Winifred Tate (Anthropology), and Larissa Taylor (History); and

Associate Professors Dean Allbritton (Spanish), Chandra Bhimull (Anthropology, African American Studies), Audrey Brunetaux (French and Italian), Megan Cook (English), Sarah Duff (History), Britt Halvorson (Anthropology), Christel Kessler (Sociology), Benjamin Lisle (American Studies), Keith Peterson (Philosophy), Damon Mayrl (Sociology), Laura Saltz (Art and American Studies), Katherine Stubbs (English), John Turner (History), and Natalie Zelensky (Music); and

Assistant Professors Ana Almeyda-Cohen (Spanish), Ben Baker (Philosophy), Kelly Brignac (History), Inga Diederich (History), Sonya Donaldson (African American Studies), Melissa Heide (English), Seth Kim (Cinema Studies), Nazli Konya (Government), Grace McGowan (English), Christopher Richards (Art), Quynh Pham (Global Studies), Joshua Rubin (Anthropology), Mohammad Shabangu (English), Gwenyth Shanks (Performance, Theater, and Dance), Kerry Sonia (Religious Studies), Dayani Taff (English), Chris Walker (English), David Wright (Classics), Lauren Yoshizawa (Education); among others.

Students are encouraged to contact the department for a complete list of currently cross-listed courses.

Twelve courses, including an introductory course (WGSS 101); a course in feminist theory (WGSS 311); a senior seminar (WGSS 493); and nine additional courses designated as WGSS courses or courses cross-listed under WGSS, at least two of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students may also petition the program director to have a non-listed course counted toward the major by demonstrating that the majority of their own coursework is on WGSS topics.

Students may count toward fulfillment of the major requirements a maximum of one semester of independent study (WGSS 491 or 492) or four credits of Senior Scholars work (if approved by the WGSS coordinating committee).

The point scale for retention of the major applies to all courses taken toward fulfillment of the major. Courses counted toward the major may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Students majoring in WGSS may apply to participate in the honors program in their senior year by submitting a formal statement of their intention to the WGSS coordinating committee by April 15 of their junior year. The written proposal must include a description of the proposed work, a timeline, and the agreement of a faculty sponsor and a secondary faculty reader. A 3.5 major average at the end of the junior year is a condition for entry into the program. By the beginning of the senior year, students must develop and circulate to the WGSS coordinating committee a prospectus for the project, written in consultation with the project’s faculty advisor. A 3.50 major average at the end of the senior year and a public oral presentation of the project are conditions for successful completion of this program. Honors course credits do not count toward elective credits in the major. The final project will usually consist of 50 pages or more of superior quality.

Six courses, including an introductory course (WGSS 101); a course in feminist theory (WGSS 311); and a senior seminar (WGSS 493); and three additional courses designated as WGSS courses or cross-listed under WGSS, at least two of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. No more than one semester of independent study (WGSS 491 or 492) may be counted toward fulfillment of the minor requirements.

The point scale for retention of the minor applies to all courses taken toward fulfillment of the minor. Courses counted toward the minor may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

• WG101 Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• WG215 Indian Matchmaking
• WG223 Educated Feet: Black Feminisms and Tap Dance
• WG232 Queer Identities and Politics
• WG234 Queer Children’s Literature
• WG244 Introduction to Asian American Studies
• WG236 Reproductive Justice
• WG241 Disability Studies
• WG297 Queer Art History
• WG311 Feminist Theories and Methodologies
• WG333 Feminist Wordlings
• WG349  Queer of Color Critique
• WG338 Indigenous Storytellers
• WG341 Gender and Human Rights
• WG351 Desiring Asia: Gender and Sexuality in East Asia
• WG343 Decolonize this Place
• WG354 Surveillance Culture
• WG493 WGSS Senior Seminar
• WG493I Seminar Narrating Deep Time