Undergraduate Concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies
Gender and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary concentration that examines the construction of gender and sexuality in social, cultural, political, economic, or scientific contexts. Each concentrator will focus on a well-defined topic or question and work closely with a concentration advisor to develop a program that investigates this focus area rigorously and supplements it with foundational courses in the relevant disciplines. Typical areas of focus might include the acculturation of gender, sexuality and race in American politics or activism; the construction of sexual and gendered identities in educational institutions or in various forms of visual media; a contrast between different cultural understandings of sexual identity, a particular national literature and history. Such topics will frequently bring questions of gender and sexuality together; however students may also organize their concentrations to emphasize questions specifically related to gender or to sexuality if they wish. Introductory and methodology courses in the disciplines appropriate to students' focus will help them understand the principles grounding such practices as historical research, literary interpretation, and sociological analysis.
For a list of courses approved to count toward the focus each year, please see the website's course link.
For further information, contact the concentration advisor:
Debbie Weinstein
194 Meeting Street, Room 208
401-863-3585
Office hours: Wednesdays 12:30-2:30 pm
Debbie_Weinstein@brown.edu
Concentration Overview
The concentration consists of 10 courses, 12 for honors concentrators.
Requirements:
- GNSS0120: Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Four-course focus on some thematic, theoretical or historical aspect of gender and sexuality
- Two introductory or methodology courses in disciplines pertinent to the focus
- One course in gender history, women's history, or history of sexuality.
- One course in feminist theory or theory of sexuality
- A senior seminar which counts as your capstone course. Senior seminar participants are expected to write a research essay
- Prior to Commencement, all graduating senior concentrators are required to do a short presentation of either their senior essay or thesis project
Honors
In order to qualify for honors, GNSS concentrators should be carrying a B+ average overall. Candidates should apply to the program's director during their sixth semester. They should submit a 3-5 page proposal, a short bibliography, and have found an advisor appropriate to the project. During their senior year, honors concentrators must enroll in GNSS1970 as well as the Senior Seminar in the fall, and GNSS1980 in the spring. A second reader for the thesis must be in place by the end of the fall semester, senior year.
The completed thesis must be submitted to the advisor and second reader by mid-April, senior year. If the advisor and second reader deem the thesis to be of superior quality, the candidate will be awarded the designation of Honors in Gender and Sexuality Studies. If the readers judge the thesis acceptable but not of honors caliber, the student will receive credit for the full two-semesters of work.