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Gender, Sexuality, And Women's Studies

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Type:
B.A.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Department:
Interdisciplinary Studies

Gain context. Challenge norms. Promote justice.

Compassionate, people-driven leaders know how to analyze inequities, confront social injustice, and initiate change. Studying gender, sexuality, and women—and learning how identities intersect and interact—will prepare you to thrive in a diverse and complex world.

As a Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSW) major at John Carroll University, you’ll develop into a mindful citizen ready to bring empathy and insight to wherever your career takes you.

  • 90% of students complete two or more high-impact experiences, such as internships or service-learning

  • 138K+ service hours completed annually at JCU

  • 14:1 Student-to-faculty ratio at JCU

  • 7% John Carroll ranks in the 7% of four-year universities nationwide, according to The Wall Street Journal

Immersive Internships

Gain experience and make connections with advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government agencies in Cleveland or around the country.

Service Opportunities

Volunteer with causes that matter to you. Rooted in values of social justice, our program encourages students to become civically engaged on campus, in the local community, and beyond.

  • Immersive Internships

    Gain experience and make connections with advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government agencies in Cleveland or around the country.

  • Service Opportunities

    Volunteer with causes that matter to you. Rooted in values of social justice, our program encourages students to become civically engaged on campus, in the local community, and beyond.

  • Campus Involvement

    Get involved with clubs, activities, and events that promote inclusion, cultural awareness, and social justice. Options include the LGBTQIA+ Alliance and Women in Business.

Program Overview & Outcomes

As a gender studies major at JCU, you’ll explore history, psychology, sociology, art, law, literature, world cultures, and other areas all through a gender-focused lens. Among the learning outcomes of the GSW program, you will:

  • Articulate a critical understanding of the impact of gender and sexuality within your own life
  • Describe how constructions for gender/sexuality have socially, historically, and globally shaped experiences for both women and men
  • Identify ethical and social justice dimensions and implications within the study of gender/sexuality

Many of our students pursue a double major in areas such as psychology or peace, justice, and human rights.

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

You’ll examine how gender and sexuality intersect with race, class, culture, politics, religion, and other systems of identity and power. Interdisciplinary courses in theory, history, research, and social analysis prepare you to evaluate inequality and advocate for more just communities.

View Program Catalog

  • Gender Studies Foundation

    Introduction to Gender Studies

    3 Credits

    GEND1100

    Gain critical tools to understand and address gender and sexuality issues, from sexism to media representations, shaping informed perspectives on U.S. gendered experiences.

    Professional Development Program

    0 Credits

    CE2001

    Refine your professional skills through online modules and workshops that gear you up for internships, grad school, and career success post-graduation.

    Special Topics

    1-3 Credits

    GEND2900

    Selected topic in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies announced in advance. May be repeated with a different topic.

  • Gender and Sexuality Perspectives

    Major Women Philosophers

    3 Credits

    PL2050

    Study of the philosophical contributions of women philosophers from ancient times to the present.

    Masculinities

    3 Credits

    SC1150

    Investigate the complexities of modern masculinities, analyzing men's experiences and societal portrayals to understand the broader impact on gender dynamics.

    Sex and Gender

    3 Credits

    SC3200

    Investigate how culture and biology shape gender roles globally while addressing health, social change, and sexuality.

    ISJ: Women in the Contemporary World

    3 Credits

    HS2059

    Analyze the global impact of women's political activism in the 20th century, uncovering the intersections of gender, body, and sexuality.

    Philosophy of Love and Sex

    3 Credits

    PL2052

    Challenge societal norms around love and sex through critical theories, examining media portrayals, activism, and personal narratives.

    Sexuality and Sexual Behavior

    3 Credits

    SC3150

    Study human sexuality through a social science lens, uncovering its biological, cultural, and psychological dimensions while addressing contemporary issues and health impacts.

    Christian Sexuality

    3 Credits

    TRS3564

    Navigate the complexities of human sexuality through a Christian lens, exploring ethics, spirituality, and contemporary theories.

    ISJ: Sexuality in America

    3 Credits

    HS1162

    Trace the evolution of sexuality and gender in America, witnessing how cultural shifts have shaped identities and societal expectations from colonial times to today.

  • Global and Cultural Perspectives

    Italian Women and Society

    3 Credits

    IC1630

    The shift in social, political, and economic roles of women in 20th-century Italy. Focus on major Italian women writers and films that depict these changes.

    Legacy of Italian Renaissance Women in Italy Today

    3 Credits

    IC3672

    The study of systematic oppression of women in the Renaissance will reveal their legacy of facing injustice still pervasive in today's Italy. The countries compared in this study include Italy and African countries like Nigeria. Prerequisite: EN1250 or equivalent.

    Women in Europe Since 1500

    3 Credits

    HS3210

    Investigate the dynamic roles of women in Europe since 1500, highlighting their legal, economic, and ideological struggles and contributions.

    Race and Gender in Latin America

    3 Credits

    HS3472

    Investigate the intersection of race and gender in Latin American history, spotlighting the contributions of diverse ethnic groups in shaping the region's narrative.

    Women in the Catholic Church in the Americas

    3 Credits

    HS3473

    Uncover the powerful influence of Catholicism on women's roles in colonial Latin America, exploring the lives of saints, sinners, and intellectuals in shaping gender norms.

    Philosophy of Race and Racism

    3 Credits

    PL2072

    Study of classical and contemporary formulations of the concept of race, the nature of modern and contemporary racism, and contemporary constructions and experiences of racial identity in the U.S.

  • Sample Electives

    Writing Women: an Introduction

    3 Credits

    EN1750

    Survey of work by British, American, and Anglophone women writers since 1800, with primary attention to lyric, short fiction, and drama.

    Alcohol in American Literature

    3 Credits

    EN2750

    Analyze how alcohol shapes narratives across diverse voices in American literature, revealing its effects on society through a rich variety of genres.

    Adolescent Development

    3 Credits

    PS2620

    Investigate the dynamic changes from preadolescence to young adulthood, focusing on physiological, cognitive, and cultural shifts that shape this pivotal life stage.

    Eating Disorders

    3 Credits

    PS3810

    Understand the complexities of eating disorders, exploring treatment, diagnosis, and the multifaceted influences behind conditions like anorexia and bulimia.

    Prejudice and Discrimination

    3 Credits

    SC2550

    Understand the roots of prejudice and discrimination in the U.S. while exploring strategies to dismantle systemic inequalities across various identities.

    Public Health in U.S. Society

    3 Credits

    SC2730

    Identify public health disparities in the U.S. and confront the social inequalities affecting treatment access through targeted discussions on critical health issues.

    The Rabbis on Sex and Gender

    3 Credits

    TRS3416

    Explores the legal and narrative sections from Talmudic tractate Kiddushin utilizing a wide variety of reading strategies (e.g., legal, text-and form-critical methods, Feminist criticism, and Queer theory). Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.

    Social Movements

    3 Credits

    PO3160

    Investigate the birth and evolution of social movements in the U.S., mastering the strategies that keep them alive against the odds.

    Women in Ancient Greece and Rome

    3 Credits

    AGRS1310

    Representation of women in ancient literature and art. An examination of both fictional and real women (e.g., Medea, Cleopatra) and the everyday details of anonymous women’s lives.

    Women, Violence, and Literature

    3 Credits

    EN2681

    Unpack the narrative of violence against women in literature, deepening your understanding of gender and societal impacts.

    Feminist Literary Criticism

    3 Credits

    EN4955

    A study of various theories of feminist literary criticism. The social construction of gender and identity, the possibilities of women's creative expression, and the influence of gender-related issues on the study of literary texts. Prerequisite: Any 2000-level or 200-level English course.

    Evil or Medieval? Wicked Women and Merry Men

    3 Credits

    FR3330

    Taught in French. Investigation of paradoxical understandings of French women from medieval times to today as monsters, witches, "daughter's of Eve," "sisters of the Virgin Mary," monster women, etc. in selected texts and films. Prerequisite: FR 201 or FR 1030, or equivalent, or demonstrable intermediate-mid proficiency.

    French Women

    3 Credits

    FR3520

    Taught in French. Female authors and their literary legacy through the centuries. Excerpts from works by Marie de France, Christine de Pisan, Catherine Des Roches, Madame de Sévigné, George Sand, Colette, Marguerite Yourcenar, Simone de Beauvoir, Andrée Chédid, Anne Hérbert, Mariama Bâ, Maryse Condé, Assia Djebar, Hélène Cixous, and Julia Kristeva. Prerequisite: FR 201 or FR 1030, or equivalent, or demonstrable intermediate-mid proficiency.

    Gender, Justice and the Law

    3 Credits

    PO3660

    Engage with the evolving landscape of gender and sexuality laws, dissecting key issues like reproductive rights and discrimination to understand their societal implications.

    Psychology of Trauma: Mind, Body and Spirit

    3 Credits

    PS2890

    Transform how you understand trauma by connecting the dots between mind, body, and spirit; gain hands-on skills in healing techniques from yoga to EMDR.

    Psychology of Gendered Violence

    3 Credits

    PS2930

    Decode the psychological roots of gender-based violence, addressing both the brutal realities faced by women and the overlooked experiences of men.

    Sociology of the Family

    3 Credits

    SC2250

    Study family dynamics and societal influences on relationships, exploring cohabitation, marriage, and parenting through community engagement.

    Family Violence

    3 Credits

    SC2750

    Social causes of violence in the family, especially dynamics of child and spouse abuse. Review of current research with attention to measures for preventing family violence and treating its effects.

    Women, Gender Relations, and Sports

    3 Credits

    SC3030

    Investigate the complexities of gender in sports, examining cultural dynamics and historical shifts in North America from a feminist perspective.

    Latina/O Transnational Experience

    3 Credits

    SC3530

    Confront pressing social issues impacting Latina/o communities through the lens of identity, immigration, and cultural dynamics across borders.

    Women, Gender Relations, and Sports

    3 Credits

    SPL3030

    Examines the cultural and structural relationships of women and gender (relations) in sport and society. Focuses on issues of culture, structure, and organizations as they relate to masculinities and femininities, gender relations, and sex and sexuality. Surveys historical and current developments of women and gender in sport in North American Society.

    Theologies of Sex, Gender, and Identity

    3 Credits

    TRS3561

    Reimagine theology through queer perspectives, engaging with scripture and societal issues to challenge norms and celebrate diversity in faith.

  • Capstone

    Feminist Research Methodologies

    3 Credits

    GEND4050

    Introduces students to key questions in feminist scholarship; examines how feminist scholars collect and analyze information; and explores the relationship between knowledge and power. Prerequisites: GEND 1100 and junior or senior standing.

    Internship and Seminar

    3 Credits

    GEND4100

    Launch your career with a tailored internship that aligns with your passions, paired with a seminar to reflect and analyze your professional experiences.

Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

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Explore how gender and sexuality shape experiences globally and historically in our Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program at John Carroll University.

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Combine your JCU bachelor's degree with a master's in business administration in just one additional year.

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Your Counseling Career, Accelerated

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Nine graduate credits count toward both degrees—so you're building clinical skills while finishing your bachelor's. You pay your undergraduate tuition rate, and your financial aid still applies. Start helping people sooner.

Your School Counseling Career, Accelerated

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Two Degrees, Two Institutions

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Three years at JCU building your foundation in social systems, then two years at CWRU's top-ranked Mandel School. You graduate with two degrees and the preparation to change lives through service and social justice.

Your MBA, Accelerated

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Your Teaching Career, Accelerated

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Nine graduate credits count toward both degrees—earning your teaching license and master's while finishing your bachelor's. You pay your undergraduate tuition rate, and your financial aid still applies. Get into the classroom sooner.

 
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Starting in his first semester at John Carroll, Quincy Unger '26 found a team who helped him shape his ideas, find the right opportunities, and launch his own business.

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