Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

About this opportunity

Women and gender studies is an interdisciplinary area of scholarship that critically explores how the effects of political, economic, and cultural systems shape gender relations. Intersectional feminist theory is central to this academic work, meaning that questions of race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality, ability, and citizenship are simultaneously integral to the program’s research and teaching.

Our program is one of the largest and most vibrant women and gender studies programs in the country, teaching more than 3,000 students a year on topics related to health, sexuality, science and technology, labor, globalization, ecology, social policy, violence prevention, media, and the arts. The diverse curriculum prepares students for careers in business, community organizing, human relations, politics, counseling, and teaching, as well as for admission to graduate and professional schools.

The Women and Gender Studies program at Arizona State University boasts a number of activities that are designed to encourage and support outstanding students. Students participate in original research and writing and engage with the local community through leadership activities and internships. They can also attend intimate faculty and graduate student “brown-bags” while benefiting from large public lectures. For example, the Feldt/Barbanell Women of the World Lecture Series annually hosts prominent individuals who address global issues and their effects on women.

Undergraduate students in Women and Gender Studies at ASU can earn a B.A. (in-person or online) or a minor. Graduate students can earn an M.A. (in-person or online) or a PhD. We encourage any honors student who is considering majoring or minoring in Women and Gender Studies to contact the program’s lead FHA. To learn more, please visit the program’s webpage: https://sst.asu.edu/degree/undergrad/ba-women--gender-studies

Thesis

As an interdisciplinary area of scholarship, our faculty have expertise in a variety of humanities and social science disciplines, including history, sociology, ethnic studies, sexuality studies, theater studies, science and technology studies, and anthropology. Students in the honors program may complete a thesis or applied project on a broad range of topics, evolving from a blend of student interest and faculty expertise.

Any faculty member in the program is eligible to serve as a thesis director and/or committee member, and we encourage students to take in-person courses with our faculty to develop relationships that would be useful at the thesis stage. If you are registered for online courses, we suggest meeting with your professor during their office hours.

An honors thesis or applied project must have at least two committee members, and the director must be a Women and Gender Studies faculty member* (tenure-line or teaching professor with a terminal degree). Individuals serving as second committee members can be non-tenured faculty or non-academics with relevant expertise.

*With approval, faculty in other units within the School of Social Transformation who have expertise in gender or sexuality research may serve as the director of a Women and Gender Studies thesis.

Academic Preparation

Students completing an honors thesis or applied project with a Women and Gender Studies faculty member are eligible to register for both WST 492 (Honors Research) and WST 493 (Honors Writing). You do not need to be a major to register for our honors courses, however, honors students majoring in Women and Gender Studies benefit from the degree’s capstone requirement of a seminar or internship that can serve as the basis for their thesis. If a student wishes to design their own research project, they will be supported by faculty who can advise them on appropriate methods, theoretical frameworks, and research grants available to undergraduates.

Students who are in fields/units other than Women and Gender Studies are asked to take the Women and Gender Studies core courses (WST 100/300 and either WST 380, WST 377, or WST 378) and consider adding a WST minor if they want to completed their thesis under the WST prefix.

Recommended Timeline

Students are encouraged to begin preparing for a thesis or applied project at least two semesters before they intend to defend or graduate. This timeline allows students to develop a strong mentoring relationship with their thesis or project director, conduct high quality research or community engagement, and prepare a final paper reflects the culmination of their honors experience.

Other Honors Opportunities

Students of Barrett, The Honors College are welcome to complete an honors enrichment contract in most courses taught within the Women and Gender Studies program. (Please contact individual course instructors for more information.) Obtaining honors credit for general coursework can include writing an essay or research paper, completing a project with a local community service agency, or developing a creative project related to your coursework. Our program grants students and faculty the flexibility to creatively design projects that will further knowledge and contribute to the community.