Gender & Women's Studies

Gender and Women's Studies

A.A.

The 60-credit Gender and Women's Studies (GWS) A.A. degree program delivers courses that equip you to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue GWS as your major. Our GWS program provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation for other majors as well.

This A.A. degree offers interdisciplinary perspectives on the formation of gender and its intersections with other relations of power, such as sexuality, race, class, nationality, religion, and age. Courses prepare you for a career in human services, the media, community organizing, education, and other fields.

As a student in this A.A. degree program, you will complete the GWS Curriculum (12 credits), Additional General Education (28 credits), Electives (18 credits), and Health/Physical Education coursework (2 credits) for a credit total of 60.

Gender & Women's Studies Program Planning Guide

2024-2025 Required Courses

Gender and Women's Studies Curriculum

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	Choose from the following Required (choose two)	6
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
GWS 1000	Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Introduces students to the main concepts of Gender and Women Studies by examining the origins of the field of study, its theoretical and sociological underpinnings, and evolution. Explores the psychological and social construction of gendered identity, including LGBTQIA theory and social concerns, as well as the intersections of race, class and gender. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
GWS 1100 GWS 1200	Gender, Race and American Culture OR Women and Global Issues Goal 5, 7, 8, 9	3
Gender, Race and American Culture Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Explores the historical and contemporary intersections of race, class and gender in the United States and examines the relationships between racially-based and gender-based movements for civil rights. Identifies and analyzes contemporary stereotypes regarding race, class and gender. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Women and Global Issues Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 08, 09 Explores the political, economic, environmental and cultural influences shaping women's live around the world, with a focus on the Global South and climate change. Investigates the distinction between 'global' issues and local issues by examining international commonalities, as well as differences. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	Choose from the following Restricted Program Electives (choose two)	6
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
GWS 1100 GWS 1200 GWS 2100 BIOL 1107 BIOL 1114 ENG 2239 INTS 1140 HIST 1135 PSYC 1140	Gender, Race and American Culture Women and Global Issues Constructions of Masculinity and Femininity Biology of Women Critical Issues In Human Biology Women in Literature Human Sexuality History of Family: A Cross-Cultural Perspective Psychology of Women Goal 3a, 5, 6b, 7, 8, 9
Gender, Race and American Culture Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Explores the historical and contemporary intersections of race, class and gender in the United States and examines the relationships between racially-based and gender-based movements for civil rights. Identifies and analyzes contemporary stereotypes regarding race, class and gender. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Women and Global Issues Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 08, 09 Explores the political, economic, environmental and cultural influences shaping women's live around the world, with a focus on the Global South and climate change. Investigates the distinction between 'global' issues and local issues by examining international commonalities, as well as differences. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Constructions of Masculinity and Femininity Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 06, 07 Explores key psychological, linguistic and philosophical theories on the origins of masculinity and femininity as essential gendered characteristics. Identifies current cultural assumptions about gender, masculinity and femininity and explores how LGBTQIA theory complicates these assumptions. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Biology of Women Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 07 Provides a theme based course for learning biological concepts in the context of issues relevant to both men's and women's health. Explores the historical, cultural and biological factors that shape women's experiences and health. The course explores the nature of science, female and male reproductive anatomy and physiology, sexual differentiation, issues related to health and disease, pregnancy and birth, contraception, menopause, sexually transmitted diseases and other public health topics. Students desiring a traditional lab may take BIOL 1110 concurrently or following completion of BIOL 1107. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Critical Issues In Human Biology Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 09 Intended for majors and non-majors interested in critical and ethical issues related to human biology. Ethical decision-making surrounding current biological issues will be examined. Topics such as evolution, human research subjects, biotechnology, antibiotic resistance, or other emerging science issues may be examined. Students will understand the process of science, be able to distinguish science from non-science, and critically analyze claims. Students desiring a traditional lab may take BIOL 1110 concurrently or following completion of BIOL 1114. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Women in Literature Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 06, 07 Provides an introduction to the methods of examining and understanding poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction by and/or about women. Prereq: Placement into Eng 1108 or completion of both ENG 0099 and READ 0093/0094 with a grade of C or higher. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Human Sexuality Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09 Presents an interdisciplinary study of human sexuality in a pluralistic society. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None History of Family: A Cross-Cultural Perspective Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Explores the social, political and cultural history of the modern family, emphasizing the transformation in the structure, values and economic basis of family life from the 16th century to the present. Particular attention is placed on the relation between social science, literature and the immigration experience of Africans, Europeans, Asians and Native Americans in the cultural crossroads of colonial to contemporary American history. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Psychology of Women Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07 Introduces current theory and research related to such issues as the psychological development of women, identity formation, self-esteem, violence, health, spirituality, social cultural influences, biology, relationships and career. Both academic and experiential learning are emphasized including extensive reading and journaling and a community project. Attendance and group participation are essential. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025
Total Credits in Gender and Women's Studies Curriculum		12

Additional General Education

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
ENG 1108	Writing And Research Skills	4
Course Outline Credits: 4 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Provides instruction and practice in reading, researching, and writing for college. Prerequisites: Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: ENG 0108 Workshop for Writing and Research Skills Future Offering: Spring 2025
ENG 1111 ENG 1114 ENG 1130	Research Writing OR The Research Paper OR Writing and Research For the Professions	3
Research Writing Course Outline Credits: 2 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and develop formal research writing in students' academic and/or professional disciplines including EMS, Paralegal, and Criminal Justice. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better. Prerequisites: ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 The Research Paper Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Emphasizes critical analysis of fiction or nonfiction texts, at least one book-length, resulting in a research paper that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources. Prereq: Grade of C or higher in ENG 1108. Prerequisites: ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Writing and Research For the Professions Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Emphasizes critical audience analysis of professional texts across the disciplines, at least one book length, resulting in a professional research proposal, feasibility study, or report that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources, persuasion, and students' mastery of professional and audience analysis, business writing, researching, and evaluative skills. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025
COMM 1100 COMM 1110 COMM 2230	Interpersonal Communication OR Public Speaking OR Small Group Communication	3
Interpersonal Communication Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 07 Is a course that helps students recognize that we live and work in relationship with others and must communicate effectively with them to achieve our goals. This class helps students acquire the skills to effectively communicate with family members, intimate others, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. After reviewing relevant interpersonal theory, students will examine and identify their own communication attitudes and behaviors. Students will also learn and apply techniques for improving communication in their relationships through active practice. Students will participate in multiple activities, both in and outside the classroom setting, to build their interpersonal communication skills. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 7, Standard 6C, D, F, & G. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Public Speaking Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Is the introductory study of the theory and practice of public speaking. Public presentation skills are required for individuals to be successful in our workplaces, communities and many other contexts in today's society. Students will learn about the different types of public speeches commonly encountered and learn how to research, organize and write their ideas into clear and understandable forms of public communication. Students will also practice the delivery skills needed to present ideas effectively. Students will be required to speak and participate often and will also be required to present their speeches in a classroom setting with an audience of their peers and an instructor. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Small Group Communication Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02 Introduces students to the practice and theory of communicating in small group settings. Working in groups is an integral part of living in today's society. Community and workplace situations require us to be able to lead, participate, and follow effectively. Participating in this course will assist students in developing the leadership, conflict management, problem solving and discussion skills necessary to function in group settings. Students will apply small group communication theory in small, task-oriented groups and develop presentation skills to showcase their understanding of what it means to be an effective group member. Evaluating the effectiveness of their own and others' group communication behaviors is also required. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 2) Critical Thinking: Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC completion ‡
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3a)	2
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3b)	2
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) Mathematical/Logical Reasoning: Goal 4 course ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5) Satisfied by GWS 1000 ‡	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5) non-GWS ‡	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6a) Fine Arts course	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6b) Humanities/Literature course	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6) Any additional Goal 6 course ‡	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 7) Satisfied by GWS 1000 ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 8) Global Perspective ‡
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 9) Ethical and Civic Responsibility. ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 10) People and the Environment ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Additional General Education		28

Electives

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Electives may be courses numbered 1000 level or higher from any discipline. This may include additional courses from the Restricted Program electives and/or the MnTC. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENGR, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE ‡	18
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Electives		18

Health/Physical Education

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	Health and PE	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	Physical Education Elective(s)	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Health/Physical Education		2

Total Credits:

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.