PROPOSED CHANGES TO WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES MAJOR IN THE COLLEGE OF
LIBERAL ARTS CHAPTER OF THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG, 2012 - 2014
1.
NAME OF DEGREE PROGRAM: WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES
2.
IF THE ANSWER TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IS YES, THE COLLEGE MUST
CONSULT NEAL ARMSTRONG WHO WILL DETERMINE WHETHER SACS-COC APPROVAL IS
NEEDED.
 Is this a new degree program? No
 Does the program offer courses that will be taught off campus? No
 Will courses in this program be delivered electronically? No
3.
EXPLAIN CHANGE TO DEGREE PROGRAM:
1.
2.
Addition of Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Departmental Honors Program
Update to the description of Major for WGS - Language for “feminist theory” requirement will include specific
WGS course number that will meet the requirement, “Women’s and Gender Studies 350, Feminist Theory.”
Please note the degree requirements are not changing, but a specific WGS course will be identified for the
requirements.
Update to the description of Major for Women’s and Gender Studies - Language for “research methods”
requirement will include specific WGS course number that will meet the requirement, “Women’s and Gender
Studies 356, Introduction to Feminist Research Methods.” Please note the degree requirements are not
changing, but specific courses will be identified for the requirements.
Update of Women’s and Gender Studies 350, Feminist Theory will reflect an upcoming inventory change.
Addition of WGS 679H will reflect upcoming additions to inventory to support WGS Departmental Honors
Program.
3.
4.
5.
3a. Indicate pages in the undergraduate catalog where changes will be made. Pages 318-326, 343
4.
GIVE A DETAILED RATIONALE FOR CHANGE. INDIVIDUAL CHANGES SHOULD BE LISTED
SEPARATELY.
1.
Addition of WGS Departmental Honors Program is necessary due to the increased number of majors in our
undergraduate program who wish to graduate with an honors degree and who otherwise will select another
department through which complete an honors program.
The update of the major description to include Women’s and Gender Studies 350, Feminist Theory as a specific
course that meets the feminist theory degree requirement, will help when advising students. While the center
will still accept other courses on the approved list for this requirement, the Center for Women’s and Gender
studies plans to offer this course once a year specifically for undergraduate majors. Featuring this course in our
degree plan will help populate it.
The update of the major description to include Women’s and Gender Studies 356, Introduction to Feminist
Research Methods, as a specific course that meets the research methods degree requirement, will help when
advising students. While the center will still accept other courses on the approved list for this requirement, the
Center for Women’s and Gender studies plans to offer this course once a year specifically for undergraduate
majors. Featuring this course in our degree plan will help populate it.
The update to Women’s and Gender Studies 350, Feminist Theory will reflect an upcoming inventory change.
The addition of the Women’s and Gender Studies 679H, Honors Tutorial Course will reflect the upcoming
inventory additions to support our proposed departmental honors program. The inventory additions will be
submitted, once the update period opens for adding new courses, in Fall 2011.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5.
SCOPE OF PROPOSED CHANGE
5a. Does this proposal impact other colleges/schools? NO
5b. Does this proposal involve changes to the core curriculum or other basic education requirements (42hour core, signature courses, flags)? NO
Last modified April 2011. Return form to Office of the General Faculty and Faculty Council- F9500
5c. Will this proposal change the number of hours required for degree completion? NO
6. COLLEGE/SCHOOL APPROVAL PROCESS
Department approval date: April 29th 2011
College approval date:
May 13, 2011
Dean approval date:
May 27, 2011
[Pages 318-326]
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS PROGRAMS
Most departments in the College of Liberal Arts offer honors programs to their majors. Minimum requirements for
departmental honors are (1) a University grade point average of at least 3.00; (2) a three-semester-hour thesis or
research project, or a reasonable equivalent, with a grade of at least B; (3) completion, with a grade point average of
at least 3.50, of the coursework required for a major in the field; and (4) completion in residence at the University of
at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree. Each department may establish additional or
more rigorous requirements.
The statement “Special Honors in (name of field)” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having
completed the honors program.
[…]
Women’s and Gender Studies Honors Program
Majors who plan to seek special honors in women’s and gender studies should apply to the honors adviser or
undergraduate adviser for admission to the honors program no later than two semesters before they expect to
graduate; the applicant must be recommended by the faculty member who will supervise the honors work. A
University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in women’s and gender studies of at least
3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the
requirements for the major, are (1) Women’s and Gender Studies 679H, Honors Tutorial Course, with a grade of A
in each half; (2) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive oral examination centered on the thesis completed in
Women’s and Gender Studies 679H; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average
of at least 3.50 in the coursework required for the major and for honors; and (4) completion in residence at the
University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.
[Page 343]
Women’s and Gender Studies
Major: Thirty semester hours of coursework, consisting of twenty-seven hours in women’s and gender studies and a
three-hour research methods course. The research methods course must be chosen from a list approved by the Center
for Women’s and Gender Studies. Of the twenty-seven hours in women’s and gender studies, eighteen must be in
upper-division coursework. It is recommended that six hours be taken in women’s and gender studies courses from
outside liberal arts. The twenty-seven hours must include the following:
1. Women’s and Gender Studies 301, Introductory Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies.
2. Six hours in Women’s and Gender Studies 340, Cross-Cultural Topics in Women’s and
Gender Studies.
3. Women’s and Gender Studies 350, Feminist Theory, or another feminist theory course [Three hours in feminist
theory,] chosen from a list of courses approved by the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies.
4. Women’s and Gender Studies 356, Introduction to Feminist Research Methods, or another research methods
course chosen from a list of courses approved by the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies.
[4.]5. Women’s and Gender Studies 379L, Internship in Women’s and Gender Studies, or 360, Research and
Thesis in Women’s and Gender Studies.
[5.]6. Women’s and Gender Studies 379S, Senior Seminar.
Minor for women’s and gender studies majors: Twelve semester hours, including at least six hours of upperdivision coursework, in any one other field of study in the University. Six of the required twelve hours must be
taken in residence.
Last modified April 2011. Return form to Office of the General Faculty and Faculty Council- F9500