This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies at VCU introduces students to new analytical, theoretical and creative frameworks for understanding today’s world. Students work toward positive social change, gaining life-changing insight on addressing social, cultural, economic and political inequities. Graduates can enter any of a broad range of careers, including nonprofits, social services, healthcare, art and media production, publishing, education, government and international development agencies, social justice and law.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
Program core outcomes
- Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills that connect theory to action
- Employ multiple theories informed by intersectionality
- Demonstrate critical engagement with multiple epistemologies and methods of research
- Articulate the ways diverse feminisms converge and diverge in the 21st century
- Articulate contexts for intellectual, academic and artistic activism
LGBT+ and Queer studies concentration-specific outcome
- Demonstrate critical engagement with the socio-political aspects of topics in LGBT+ and Queer studies
Special requirements
A Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies requires a total of 120 credits with 30 credits in GSWS courses and at least 15 of these credits in upper-level courses. Students may choose a general interdisciplinary program, a health, society and social justice concentration, or a concentration in LGBT+ and Queer studies
All students must complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in the College of Humanities and Sciences. All students also must complete core course requirements of GSWS 301, GSWS 393, GSWS 401 and GSWS 493 with the ancillary requirements of GSWS 201 and GSWS 420.
Students in the LGBT+ and Queer studies concentration must complete GSWS 205 and choose an additional three courses in the area of LGBT+ and Queer studies. At least one of the electives must focus on race and/or ethnicity as they relate to LGBT+ and Queer studies and one of the electives must focus outside the United States.
The remaining credits in the major are electives, but must be GSWS courses or courses in other departments that have been approved by the major’s adviser. These electives may include GSWS 391, GSWS 491 or GSWS 492. Note, however, that an independent study is permitted only after the student has an agreement with a supervising faculty member and permission from the major’s adviser.
Degree requirements Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in LGBT+ and Queer studies
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major Requiremments | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| GSWS 301 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| GSWS 393 | Feminist Research and Methods of Inquiry | 3 |
| GSWS 401 | Topical Senior Seminar | 3 |
| GSWS 493 | Internship | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| GSWS race, racism and anti-racism perspective course (200-400 level) | 3 | |
| Concentration requirements | ||
| GSWS 205 | Introduction to LGBT+ and Queer Studies | 3 |
| GSWS elective | 3 | |
| LGBT+ and Queer studies electives | 9 | |
| Ancillary Requirements | ||
| GSWS 201 | Introduction to Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies | 3 |
| GSWS 420 | Algorithmic Inequalities: Gender, Race and Power in Big Tech | 3 |
| HUMS 203 | Career Compass | 1 |
| Experiential fine arts 1 | 1 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 6 | |
| Open Electives | ||
| Select any course. | 46 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Courses offered by School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Perspective areas
Note: A course listed in two different areas may not be used to fulfill both area requirements for the major. Some courses may have prerequisites to meet before enrollment
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Race, racism, and anti-racism | ||
| GSWS 291 | Topics in Women's Studies | 3 |
| GSWS 309 | Gender and Global Health | 3 |
| GSWS 318 | Politics of Race, Class and Gender | 3 |
| GSWS 319 | Women and American Politics | 3 |
| GSWS 356 | Open Minds | 3 |
| GSWS 359 | Black Women Writers | 3 |
| GSWS 360 | Mujerista Ethics | 3 |
| GSWS 361 | Decolonial Feminisms | 3 |
| GSWS 366 | Women and Global Politics | 3 |
| GSWS 371 | Women and Gender in Islam | 3 |
| GSWS 382 | Gender, Crime and Justice | 3 |
| GSWS 383 | Beyoncé: Music, Race and Fame | 3 |
| GSWS 384 | Queer Nightlife | 3 |
| GSWS 390 | Forced and Coerced Labor in Africa and the Americas | 3 |
| GSWS 391 | Topics in Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies | 3 |
| GSWS 415 | Black Performance Theory | 3 |
| GSWS 450 | Black Feminist Thought | 3 |
| GSWS 451 | Narratives of Asian American Sexualities | 3 |
| GSWS 460 | Gender, Sexuality and HIV In African Literature | 3 |
| GSWS 470 | Latine Feminisms | 3 |
| GSWS 491 | Topics in Women's Studies | 3 |
| LGBT+ and Queer Studies | ||
| GSWS 202 | Introduction to Trans Studies | 3 |
| GSWS 302 | Trans Theory and Activism | 3 |
| GSWS 303 | Sociology of Masculinities | 3 |
| GSWS 341 | Gender and Sexuality in America I | 3 |
| GSWS 342 | Gender and Sexuality in America II | 3 |
| GSWS 347 | Black Queer Politics | 3 |
| GSWS 354 | Queer Literature: ____ | 3 |
| GSWS 355 | Queer Cinema | 3 |
| GSWS 357 | Queer Comics | 3 |
| GSWS 405 | Activism Practicum in Feminist and Queer Organizing | 3 |
| GSWS 409 | LGBTQ Health and Wellness | 3 |
| GSWS 459 | Gender, Sexuality, and Religion | 3 |
| GSWS 461 | HIV, Memory and Queer Archives | 3 |
| GSWS 490 | GNDR, SEX, & HIV AFR LIT | 3 |
.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University (or open elective) 1 | 1 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education courses | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| GSWS 201 | Introduction to Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| HUMS 203 | Career Compass | 1 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| GSWS 301 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| GSWS 420 | Algorithmic Inequalities: Gender, Race and Power in Big Tech | 3 |
| GSWS race, racism and anti-racism perspective course (200-400 level) | 3 | |
| Foreign language (101 level) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| GSWS 205 | Introduction to LGBT+ and Queer Studies | 3 |
| GSWS LGBT+ and Queer Studies perspective | 3 | |
| Experiential fine arts 2 | 1 | |
| Foreign language (102 level) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 2 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| GSWS 393 | Feminist Research and Methods of Inquiry | 3 |
| LGBT+ and Queer studies elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| GSWS elective | 3 | |
| LGBT+ and Queer studies elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| GSWS 401 | Topical Senior Seminar | 3 |
| LGBT+ and Queer studies elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| GSWS 493 | Internship | 1-3 |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
Recommended course to apply as open elective; credits currently not included in displayed semester total credit hours. Open elective credits required in later semesters will need to be adjusted accordingly.
Courses offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.