Introduction to the Major
Gender and sexuality pervade every aspect of our lives. The Gender and Women's Studies undergraduate program introduces students to the intersectional analysis of gender, women, and sexuality, focusing on the workings of power in social and historical life. Students learn to apply methods derived from the social sciences, the humanities, and the interdisciplines to the study of gender. They explore a growing body of feminist and queer theory that revises our understanding of gender, sexuality, society, and culture.
The Department of Gender and Women’s Studies offers a major and minor in Gender and Women’s Studies, as well as a minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies.
The Major Curriculum
The Gender and Women’s Studies department offers an introduction to feminist theory as well as more advanced courses that seek to expand capacities for critical reflection and analysis and to engage students with varied approaches to feminist research.
The program curriculum draws students into interdisciplinary and intersectional analysis of specific gender practices through investigating areas such as feminism in a transnational world, the politics of representation, feminist science studies, gender and work, gender and health, and queer visual culture.
Amplify Your Major
-
Consider completing the GWS Honors Program.
-
Join a student organization such as the GSW Undergraduate Student Association.
-
Apply to the GWS Student Research Fund or URAP and work with GWS faculty.
-
Get involved with campus issues as a Gender Equity Center intern or volunteer.
First Year
Explore Your Major
-
Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
-
Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements and consult the major FAQs.
-
Enroll in GWS 10: Intro to Gender and Women’s Studies and/or GWS 14: Gender, Sexuality, and Race in Global Political Issues.
Connect and Build Community
-
Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
-
Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
-
Consider applying to the UNITY or WISE Theme Program.
Discover Your Passions
-
Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar like GWS 24 or 39A, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course such as the GenSex DeCal.
-
Get inspired through GWS faculty publications.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with student organizations.
-
Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
-
Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
-
Develop a plan for getting career ready.
-
Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore careers in the Career Connections Networking Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
-
Complete lower division prerequisites and declare the major.
-
Start thinking about upper division core (GWS 101, 102, 195) and elective courses within the major.
-
Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
-
Join a student organization such as the GWS Undergraduate Student Association.
-
Check out resources from the Gender Equity Resource Center and sign up for their listserv.
-
Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
-
Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course like L&S/GWS C180Y: Gender, Sex and Power.
-
Check out research opportunities for GWS majors.
-
Assist faculty and graduate students in their research through URAP.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
-
Get involved with campus issues as a Gender Equity Center intern or volunteer.
-
Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
-
Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
-
Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
-
Focus on completing upper division requirements and electives.
-
Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
-
Ask the major advisor about the Gender and Women’s Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
-
Start attending events in the Gender and Women’s Studies department and the Beatrice Bain Research Group.
-
Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
Discover Your Passions
-
Explore campus centers and institutes like the Center for Race & Gender, Center for the Study of Sexual Culture, Center for Research on Social Change, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, and Othering & Belonging Institute.
-
Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program, SURF, or Center for Race and Gender Student Grants Program.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
-
Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
-
Mentor local youth through the YWCA TechGYRLS* Mentoring Program or Women and Youth Supporting Each Other.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
-
Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
-
Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, and Public Service Career Fair.”
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
-
Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
-
Earn academic credit related to an internship or independent study.
-
Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
-
Join a professional association such as the National Women’s Studies Association.
-
Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
-
Teach your own DeCal course.
-
Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
-
Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
-
Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship.
-
Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Utilize job board tools in your job search.
-
Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
-
Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Majoring in Gender and Women’s Studies is attractive to employers and graduate school admissions, from medical school and law school to NGOs, teaching, and business. Employers like to see students who have taken classes indicating sustained critical thinking and writing, and a commitment to social justice.
Jobs and Employers
-
Clinical Research Coord., Stanford University
-
Counselor, Asian Immigrant Women’s Advocate
-
Fellow, Fulbright Program
-
Filmmaker, Independent Films
-
Organizer, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
-
Partnership Development Asst., Fair Trade USA
-
Policy Analyst, UC Berkeley
-
Researcher, National Taiwan University
-
Senior Community Manager, Udacity
-
Sex & Gender Equity Analyst, CA Dept of Education
Graduate Programs
-
African-American/Black Studies, PhD, UC Berkeley
-
Industrial Psychology, PhD, Rice University
-
Film Studies, Masters, UCLA
-
Law, JD, UC Berkeley
-
Masters of Divinity, Union Theological Seminary
-
Medicine, UC Berkeley/UCSF School of Medicine
-
Public Health, Masters, Pepperdine
-
Social Work, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and LinkedIn.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students and GWS department workshops for majors.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit womensstudies.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can contact the major advisor, Althea Grannum-Cummings to schedule appointments or ask questions by emailing cummings@berkeley.edu.
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday, 10am - 12pm.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
