Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate: 259

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The Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGSP) offers courses about women and gender for all students. The program is designed to explore the experiences and cultural contributions of women and those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community as well as examine the societal implications of gender. Informed by feminist, gender, and sexuality theory and grounded in sociological methods, the courses in the WGSP challenge false assumptions and theories about women, gender, sexuality, race, and class; encourage rigorous critical thinking; raise issues of gender bias and the subjective nature of knowledge; support students’ development as individuals and as participating members of their larger communities; and expand options for all beyond traditional gender roles. These writing-intensive courses help students consider the differences gender and sexuality make - in family relationships, friendships, education, and work. These classes are comfortable settings for delving into scholarship and theory.

In addition to the interdisciplinary introductory courses on women’s, gender, and LGBT studies, courses in the program include women’s history, philosophy, literature, sociology, psychology, physical education, and health. Honors modules are available for some classes. Most courses fulfill General Education requirements in the humanities or behavioral and social sciences distribution areas as well as the College’s global and cultural perspectives requirement.

A certificate in women’s studies can be earned by students who complete 12 or more credits in courses approved by the WGSP. These courses must include WMST 101, Introduction to Women’s Studies or GNDS101, Introduction to Gender Studies. The program also offers a Gender Equity Microcredential Badge. The WGSP also features speakers, seminars, and other programs. Student awards and scholarships are presented annually.

For more information at the Germantown Campus, please visit the office at 186 Humanities and Social Sciences Building; for more information at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, please visit the office at 208 Pavilion Three. The collegewide office, located at 005 Campus Center, Rockville Campus, provides academic advising and materials and information on upcoming events.

Visit the website at: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/academics/programs/womens-and-gender-studies/index.html

Contact: Dr. Leah Sneider, Collegewide Coordinator, at leah.sneider@montgomerycollege.edu

Program Requirements

All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.

WMST 101 - Introduction to Women’s Studies 3 semester hours *
OR
GNDS 101 - Introduction to Gender Studies 3 semester hours *

Additional Courses

Choose 9 credits from the list below including a social sciences course and a humanities course.

ENGL 208 - Women in Literature 3 semester hours *
GNDS 102 - Understanding LGBT Identities 3 semester hours
HIST 112 - Women in World History 3 semester hours
HIST 228 - Women in the Western World 3 semester hours
HLTH 215 - Women’s Health 3 semester hours
PHIL 212 - Women in Philosophy I 3 semester hours
PHIL 218 - Women in Philosophy II 3 semester hours
PSYC 207 - Psychology of Women 3 semester hours **
SOCY 208 - Sociology of Gender 3 semester hours
SOCY 214 - Sociology of the Family 3 semester hours
WMST or GNDS Elective 3 semester hours

Total Credit Hours: 12

* This course carries a co-prerequisite of ENGL 101 /ENGL 011 .

** These courses carry prerequisites.

This program can be completed either on campus or online.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:

Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship about women and gender.
Evaluate the influence gender and sexuality have had on contributions in various disciplines and their recognition in various realms.
Analyze the ways that hierarchical systems, such as sexism and racism, have functioned, have changed, and have continued to change.
Connect ideas across disciplines, compare theories with experiences, and contrast different academic perspectives on gender.
Recognize how an awareness of women’s and gender issues and roles in society may positively affect the futures of students (in all disciplines) and as professionals (in all professions).