Bachelor of Arts in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Major

The Major

The major in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies requires 63 units and may be taken as a single major, as one of multiple majors, or as a secondary major.

FEMGEN core courses must be taken for a letter grade. A student wishing to major in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies should apply to the major via AXESS, preferably by the autumn quarter of  junior year. The student will then select a sub-plan or develop an individualized proposal describing a thematic focus. In order to be approved as an FGSS major, students must outline a course of study and have it approved by a prospective adviser listed as FGSS core faculty. The approved study plan must then be submitted to the Program Office (Bldg. 460, Room 216) for approval by the Director or Associate Director.

A maximum of 10 of the 63 units for the major may be taken on a credit/no credit or satisfactory/no credit basis; a maximum of 10 units may be taken as independent studies or directed readings.

Download the FGSS Major Study Plan


The Double Major & Secondary Major

  • If a student is a double major in FGSS, none of the 63 units counted toward the major in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies may overlap with units counted toward the major in another department or program.
  • If a student is a secondary major in FGSS, all units counted toward the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major may also be counted as fulfilling the major requirements in another department or program with the consent of that department or program.

Find more information about University policy on the secondary major.

If you have questions about major requirements, contact Interim Associate Director Maxe Crandall at maxec [at] stanford.edu (maxec[at]stanford[dot]edu) or Academic Services Administrator An Nguyen at antnguyn [at] stanford.edu (antnguyn[at]stanford[dot]edu)


Requirements

The Core:

  • FEMGEN 101: Introduction to Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
  • FEMGEN 103: Feminist Theories & Methods
  • FEMGEN 104A: Junior Practicum
  • FEMGEN 104B: Senior Practicum
  • 1 WIM Course (FEMGEN 151, FEMGEN 157, AMSTUD 160, ANTHRO 90B, LINGUIST 150)

Additional Requirements:

  • One theory course from the approved list
  • One FEMGEN course or related course in Global Perspectives
  • One FEMGEN course or related course in Intersection Structures of Oppression (Race, Ethnicity, and/or Class)
  • One FEMGEN course or related course in LGBTQ Studies

Note: Course offerings change annually. Consult ExploreCourses for current offerings and email the program with questions about applying course credits towards the major.

For more information about the Major and its requirements, please consult our bulletin entry.

How to Declare

To Declare a Major or Minor in FGSS:

1. Review the program requirements as listed on this website.

2. Declare on Axess.

3. Make an appointment to meet with Associate Director maxec [at] stanford.edu (Maxe Crandall) to draw up your study plan.  Once your plan has been approved, your declaration in Axess will be approved as well!

4. Email your photo and bio to us so you can be added to our website and listserves.

The strength of program lies in its interdisciplinary nature. As a queer Black artist-scholar, the courses I’ve taken have allowed me to study the legacy of queer artists in the United States and beyond. I have been fulfilled by producing several creative works that explore the utility of the archive in preserving Black queer identities often eroded from the fabric of societal memory. Through filmmaking and poetry, I hope to advocate for social change and continue the mission of the Program.
Kiara T. Dunbar '22