The program offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate minor in WGSS and an undergraduate minor in GLBT Studies with courses drawn from the humanities, fine arts, and social and health sciences. Typically fifteen to twenty-five undergraduate courses are offered each semester. Topics Include: Health Aspects of Human Sexuality, Sociology of Gender, Psychology of Gender, Women in Politics, Sexuality and Society, US Women's History since 1840, Feminist Philosophy, Women Writers, Gender and Film, and Women in Latin America, Gay and Lesbian Literature, Sociology of Family, Gender and Media, etc. The undergraduate minors are open to all students regardless of major.

WGSS coursework emphasizes concepts of gender analysis applicable to history, media, natural sciences, social sciences, art, literature, politics, health, medicine, and law. Learning extends beyond the classroom to personally and socially important questions. Students who complete the minor may, among other things, pursue graduate studies, or work in the public and private sectors with a focus on women's and LGBT issues.

Outline of Women's Studies Minor

The critical perspective of WGSS establishes gender as a fundamental category of social and cultural analysis, linking gender with class, race, ethnicity and sexual identity to analyze the diversity of women's experience. The University of Houston's WGSS Program seeks to provide equal opportunities and is open to all students without regard to sex, race, color, religion, sexual identity, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status. The University is committed through the WGSS Program to bringing its expertise to the analysis and investigation of women's roles, problems, needs, history and contributions to humankind.

The WGSS minor is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (624 AH) and is administered by Dr. Elizabeth Gregory. A minor in WGSS consists of eighteen (18) hours in designated WGSS courses (15 advanced hours + WOST 2350). At least twelve (12) of the eighteen hours must be taken in residence. A minimum 2.00 grade point average is required for all courses attempted in the minor.

The interdisciplinary nature of this minor requires that students not confine course work to any one department or college. A minimum of nine (9) hours of approved coursework (including WOST 2350) from Humanities and a minimum of six (6) hours of approved coursework from Social Sciences must be taken. Click here to view a partial listing of regularly offered coursework which counts toward the minor. In addition, courses listed in each semester's schedule are considered approved courses for the minor, even though those courses may not appear on the list. A maximum of six (6) hours approved transfer substitutes will be accepted toward the minor.*

* No more than six (6) semester hours in a student's major may apply to a minor in WGSS.

Outline of GLBT Minor

The GLBT Studies minor at the University of Houston recognizes the scholarly importance of GLBT people and their contribution to politics and theory. It offers students a rich interdisciplinary framework in which to understand and critically examine this dynamic academic field. This minor allows students to question and analyze the complex roles and implications of sexuality, gender and sexual identity. In a world where GLBT people are more visible and prominent than ever before, having a strong background in GLBT history, literature, culture and theory is an increasingly valuable part of any education. The GLBT Studies Minor is pivotal in the mission of the University of Houston to promote diversity and equality.

The GLBT minor is housed within the Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (624 AH) and is administered by Dr. Guillermo de los Reyes. A minor in GLBT Studies consists of:

• Eighteen (18) hours in designated GLBT courses (15 advanced hours + GLBT 2360).
• At least twelve (12) of the eighteen hours must be taken in residence.
• Aminimum 2.00 grade point average is required for all courses attempted in the minor.

The interdisciplinary nature of this minor requires students not to confine course work to any one department. A minimum of nine (9) hours of approved coursework (including the Introduction to GLBT Studies course) from the Humanities and a minimum of six (6) hours approved coursework from the Social Sciences must be taken (see suggested courses listed below). A maximum of six (6) hours approved transfer substitutes will be accepted toward the minor.

* No more than six (6) semester hours in a student’s major may apply to a minor in GLBT Studies.

• More Info

How to Apply for the Minor

Individuals interested in a Minor in WGSS or GLBT Studies can come by the WGSS Office, Room 624 Agnes Arnold Hall, or may contact the student advisors Maria Corsi or Tracy Butler at 713-743-3214. You can also e-mail us at WGSS@uh.edu.

Why Minor

Top 10 Myths about the WGSS Minor

1. MYTH: No boys allowed. 
   FACT: You don’t have to be a woman to participate in the Minor, to be a feminist, or to be an activist for women’s issues. Further, WGSS seeks to foster compassion for both sexes.
2. MYTH: WGSS only talks about white women. 
   FACT: WGSS is a diverse field that explores race, class, gender and sexuality in complex ways.
3. MYTH: This will not help me in my career.
   FACT: The WGSS Minor opens up many career opportunities, even to jobs you might think have nothing to do with WGSS. (Examples: Social Work, Health Sciences, Law, Business, Education, Psychology, etc.)
4. MYTH: All feminists are the same. 
   FACT: No two feminists are alike. Feminism is also a diverse concept that represents a number of different interests.
5. MYTH: I have to be a liberal arts major. 
   FACT: ANY major can have a WGSS minor.
6. MYTH: WGSS is only about suffragists and bra-burners. 
   FACT: Once again, WGSS is a diverse field. It is interdisciplinary and multi-faceted. You’ll meet a few suffragists and bra-burners, along with many other women and theoretical frameworks.
7. MYTH: It will take too long. 
   FACT: The WOST minor is an 18 hour minor. You can use up to 6 hours of your major for your minor (in other words, those classes can count twice!). It won’t take too long. You might even be surprised that courses you have already taken might count toward the minor.
8. MYTH: I won’t be able to meet other students in WGSS. 
   FACT: The Society for the Study of Women and Gender will not let that happen! This organization is directed by students for students to encourage collaboration and activism.
9. MYTH: WGSS is all talk and no action. 
   FACT: WGSS is very action oriented. At UH, you will have numerous opportunities to participate in social justice and community service activities.
10. MYTH: I have to think a certain way to take these classes. 
    FACT: The minor does not aim to attract a certain “type” of people. Your opinions will be welcomed and challenged in this setting.

Link to Courses

View a full list of regularly and currently offered courses.

Petitioning a Course for Approval

Courses that are not-crosslisted but deal with over 50% women or gender in topics, assignments, and readings may be petitioned for credit for the minor. Adhere to the following process:

1. Print a “General Petition” from the Academic Forms website. 
2. Fill in sections A and B of the petition completely.
3. Have your professor sign section C.
4. Attach a course syllabus to the completed and signed petition and bring it to the WGSS office, AH 624. 
5. WOST will complete the remaining steps and contact you when the process is finished.

NOTE: Only courses 3000 level or above count for the WOST minor.

Link to Scholarships

WGSS also has a number of scholarships that are available only to minors.

Catalog

• College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) online catalog