Undergraduate Studies


 

GSWS is an interdisciplinary academic program focusing on gender, sexuality, and women. Our courses and cross-listed courses in various departments across the university provide opportunities for all students to broaden their understandings of the changing roles of gender and sexuality in the United States and globally. Our curriculum includes topics related to feminism, women, masculinity, the sex/gender system, homosexuality, heterosexuality, bisexuality, trans*, queer, intersex, and other gendered matters, highlighting gender and sexuality as operating always in conjunction with other identities such as race, class, ethnicity, nation, ability, age, and religion.  In GSWS courses, students investigate the histories of gender and sexuality and their impacts on literature and the arts, on science and the media, and on politics and culture. Students who take up careers in medicine, the creative arts, social work, education, counseling, law, therapy, and business have found that GSWS enhances their understanding and efficacy . Still others report that the confidence and insight that they acquire in such courses enriches their lives beyond their particular career goals.

Students enrolled in GSWS degrees are eligible to apply for student research funds and internships, and all interested Pitt students are invited to apply for our awards and consider being part of our Living and Learning Communities, our Academic Communiy (Science in a Gendered World), and our Study Abroad program on Food Studies in Italy highlighting gender and sustainability.

Students are warmly invited to participate in our numerous activities and events to learn about recent and emerging work in gender and sexuality studies.

To receive our emails about events and opportunities, contact us at gsws@pitt.edu.

BA Major

We offer a 30-credit Bachelor of Arts Degree. Transfer courses will be accepted on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of 2 courses. Students may have no more than 6 credits counted towards another certificate, major, or minor. A cumulative QPA of 2.00 is required in courses applying to the major.

Course Requirements  |  Advising major planning sheet (PDF)

Student speaking

GSWS Minor

We offer an 18-credit minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. Transfer courses will be accepted on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of 2 courses. Students may have no more than 6 credits counted toward another unit’s certificate, major, or minor. A cumulative QPA of 2.00 is required in courses applying to the minor.

LGBTQ and Critical Sexuality Studies Minor

We offer an 18-credit minor in LGBTQ and Critical Sexuality Studies. Transfer courses will be accepted on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of 2 courses. Students may have no more than 6 credits counted toward another unit’s certificate, major, or minor. A cumulative QPA of 2.00 is required in courses applying to the minor.

Frayda Cohen

Advising

Contact the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Undergraduate Advisor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Frayda Cohen (frayda.cohen@pitt.edu), in order to declare a major or minor in GSWS. This process should take place as soon as possible in a student’s undergraduate career but no later than the semester prior to graduation.  All GSWS students must meet with the Undergraduate Advisor on a regular basis to plan courses and update their files.