Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality

The secondary field in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality (WGS) allows students to pursue an interest in studies of women, gender and sexuality outside of their work for their concentrations. The required foundational course grounds students in the history, theory, and methodology of gender and sexuality studies. The flexibility of the four remaining course requirements allows students to sample from the rich course offerings in WGS while developing core areas of interest.

REQUIREMENTS 5 half-courses

1. One of the following: WGS 1000, 1200, 1210, or 1300 (formerly WGS 1000, 1001, 1003 and 1002, respectively).
2. Four other courses drawn from the WGS course offerings.

OTHER INFORMATION

1. Students may petition to have one course from another department count toward the secondary field. Petition forms are available in the WGS office.
2. Freshman Seminars/Study Abroad/Summer School: Students may petition to have a Freshman Seminar or a course from study abroad, Harvard Summer School, or other Harvard Faculty count for the secondary field. If the Freshman Seminar or the summer school course is taught by a faculty member with an appointment in WGS, the course would count as a "WGS course." If the course is not taught by a WGS faculty member, it would count as the student's one non-WGS course; other courses would need to be drawn from WGS course offerings.
3. Pass/Fail: No more than one course may be taken Pass/Fail or SAT/UNS. There is no grade minimum (as long as it is a passing grade) for the courses taken for secondary field credit.
4. Limited Enrollment Courses: Students pursuing a secondary field in WGS will receive preferential access to limited enrollment courses. Concentrators will be admitted first, but secondary field students will be the next preferred group.

ADVISING RESOURCES AND EXPECTATIONS

Students who are considering a secondary field in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality should meet with the Acting Director of Studies, Karen Flood ( 617-495-1964, kflood@fas.harvard.edu), or the Assistant Director of Studies, Linda Schlossberg (617-496-9853, schloss@ fas.harvard.edu), as soon as possible. Students should also notify the program using the secondary fields web tool in order to receive preferential access to limited-enrollment courses. Secondary field students are required to have an advising meeting with the Director of Studies or the Assistant Director of Studies by the end of their junior year to discuss their plans of study.