Race, Gender & Ethnicity Studies

People of color, women, and people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community have faced—and continue to face—oppression and inequality. This interdisciplinary minor explores the history and current experiences of women, LGBTQ people, and people of color in the United States and around the world. What obstacles have these groups faced, how have they attempted to overcome those obstacles, and what strategies do they have for building equality in the future. Students will become versed in philosophies of race and gender, including the notion that racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities are primarily socially constructed rather than fixed or “natural.” This minor will enlighten students not only about the lived experiences of oppressed people but also about how the very concepts of gender, race, and sexual identity have changed over time. In their core courses, students will gain a basic understanding of gender and race theories and will explore varying topical examinations of people facing oppressions in literature and culture. Subsequent courses will include topics such as “African American Literature,” “Women’s History,” “Social Inequalities,” “Women in Politics,” and “Literature and History of Sexuality.” By offering a broad array of electives across the disciplines, this minor aims to allow students to “double dip” within their major field of study when possible while also widening their perspectives about other cultures and disciplines.

Student Experience

*Note: some electives have pre-requisites that do not count toward the minor. These are designed for students already completing a major in that field of study. Other students should choose electives without pre-requisites. Students should consult the instructor to see if a topics course meets the “approved topics only” requirement for this minor.*

Lower-division hours for the minor: 12

Upper-division hours for the minor: 12