Gender, Sexuality, & Women's Studies, BA: Feminist Studies
A concentration with a broad range, Feminist Studies covers topics ranging from politics to policy, to research methods and methodologies. For example, students with a concentration in Feminist Studies may be interested in focusing on how feminist policy has shaped political life in the United States, researching the ways that feminist advocacy has shaped political movements in Latin America, or examining how feminist approaches to research methods have transformed data collection in particular fields.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://gsws.sas.upenn.edu/program/undergraduate/major
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| GSWS 0002 | Gender and Society | 1 |
| GSWS 0003 | Introduction to Sexuality Studies and Queer Theory | 1 |
| GSWS Theory Course: | 1 | |
Or courses chosen with permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Feminist Studies Concentration Requirements | ||
| Select 5 courses with 4 courses in at least two different departments | 5 | |
Or courses chosen with permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 4 elective courses from the following: | 4 | |
GSWS 0000:4999 | ||
Or courses chosen with permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Reseach/Capstone Requirement | 1 | |
| GSWS Honors Thesis Seminar | ||
GSWS 4999:9999 | ||
Or courses at the 5000 level and above by permission of Program Associate Director | ||
| Total Course Units | 33 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
Honors
Students with an overall GPA of 3.4 and 3.6 or better in the major are eligible for honors. Honors students must take a total of 2 credit units of Thesis Seminar.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| GSWS 4000 | GSWS Honors Thesis Seminar | 1 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| Fall Courses | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Courses | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall Courses | 4.5 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Courses | 4.5 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall Courses | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Courses | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall Courses | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Courses | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 33.00 | |