BA in Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies program is an interdisciplinary field built on the premise that gender is socially constructed alongside race, sexuality, class, nationality, ability, and other identity markers. Our courses situate feminist perspectives in a global framework while acknowledging regional and historical contexts. These approaches shape our pedagogy, scholarship, institutional engagements, and classroom values. The department provides diverse courses applying gender and sexuality studies to explore topics including colonial and postcolonial studies, globalization, historical perspectives, LGBTQ+ experiences, STEM fields, literary analysis, media studies, visual arts, fashion theory, and culinary culture. Students can pursue either a bachelor's degree or minor, and we partner with other departments to offer additional minors in Sexuality Studies and Social, Ethnic & Gender Relations.

Students in critical gender studies cultivate interdisciplinary methods for examining, interpreting, and advancing social transformation to benefit individuals across all identities, backgrounds, and communities. The curriculum begins with introductory courses covering historical foundations, theoretical frameworks, and cultural studies. Advanced coursework includes five required classes that deliver comprehensive training in gender theory, research methodologies, and current debates. Students further customize their academic path by selecting six elective courses to develop specialized expertise.