FGSS-BA - Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (BA)
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Program Overview
The Program in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies provides students with the knowledge and skills to investigate the significance of gender and sexuality in all areas of human life. Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies examines understandings of and experiences of gender and sex and how these intersect with factors such as race, nationality, religion and belief, class, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, medicine, and health, technology and age. Additionally, the program coordinates courses offered across the University into a curriculum of LGBTQ+ studies. Through personalized, interdisciplinary curricula and practical experience, our students explore varied perspectives in gender and sexuality studies methodologies and theories to learn, ask questions, carry out research, and chart their own career and intellectual paths.
Preparing for the Major
To declare the major, the student must first email the Assistant Director of Student Services (winnini@stanford.edu), who will guide the student through the steps of declaration. The student then must meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Mona Tajali (mtajali@stanford.edu), to develop and review their study plan. As the final step, the student declares the major on AXESS.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Each Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies student builds an individual program of study around a self-defined thematic focus that integrates courses from multiple departments. Majors may declare either Humanities and the Arts; Technology, Medicine, and Science, Law and Social Sciences; or LGBTQ+ Studies as their subplan. Or students may design their own thematic focus as a subplan. Subplans are printed on the diploma; individual thematic foci are not printed on the diploma. The program also offers an interdisciplinary honors program that is open to undergraduates in all majors.
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 declare the major via Axess by autumn quarter of the junior year. The student then selects a subplan or develops an individualized proposal describing a thematic focus and outlining a course of study approved by a prospective advisor from the list of affiliated faculty. The proposal is then submitted to the Program Office (Bldg. 460, Room 216) for approval by the Director or Associate Director.
If taken as one of multiple majors, 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 taken as a secondary major, the units counted toward the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major may also be counted as fulfilling the major requirements in another department or program if that department or program consents.
All Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors must complete the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major core requirements (4 courses), elective requirements (minimum 2 courses) and an additional five courses (minimum) constituting an area of focus. Those five courses should be chosen in consultation with the Associate Director.
Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (FGSS) majors may fulfill their senior project requirement through a Capstone or apply to complete an Honors Thesis. Both options may take the form of a traditional research paper or a creative project, and both emphasize interdisciplinary inquiry, independent thinking, and engagement with feminist, gender, and sexuality studies theories.
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 study or directed reading.
Students must complete an additional two courses from any two approved subplan courses other than their own. One course may not count for more than one requirement.
Majors in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies may satisfy the Writing in the Major (WIM) requirement by taking one of the approved WIM courses in the list below. Not all courses are offered yearly.
FGSS majors are required to complete a capstone, which integrates feminist, gender, and sexuality studies theories with community engagement, research, or creative expression.
To complete the capstone requirement, majors graduating in 2025 or later must take FEMGEN 104X in their Junior year and choose one of the two options listed below.
Senior Capstone Project Option
Capstone projects should follow this recommended sequence of courses: Spring Quarter of junior year with FEMGEN 104X, followed by FEMGEN 199A in Autumn Quarter of senior year. Capstone papers must be at least 7,000 words (excluding notes and figures). Creative Capstones may include formats such as short films, podcasts, poetry collections, or performance, and must be paired with a critical written analysis.
All Capstone proposals are reviewed and approved by the FEMGEN 199 instructor(s) and the student’s faculty advisor. Creative projects must meet scholarly standards and clearly articulate their research context, audience, and methodology. Units earned through the FEMGEN 199 series do not count toward the major’s unit requirement.
For more information, visit the FGSS website.
Students pursuing Honors take FEMGEN 104X and a year-long sequence: FEMGEN 199A/B/C. Honors theses must be at least 15,000 words (excluding notes and figures) and demonstrate original, in-depth research. Creative Honors Projects are more extensive than Capstones and may include formats such as feature-length films, digital media, or curated exhibitions, also accompanied by a substantial written component.
All Honors proposals are reviewed and approved by the FEMGEN 199 instructor(s) and the student’s faculty advisor. Creative projects must meet scholarly standards and clearly articulate their research context, audience, and methodology. Units earned through the FEMGEN 199 series do not count toward the major’s unit requirement.
For more information, visit the FGSS website.
For Majors in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Admission—The honors program offers an opportunity to do independent research for a senior thesis or creative project. It is open to FGSS majors and minors with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in coursework in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Interested students should consult with their major advisor and Associate Director Dr. Halima Kazem by the end of winter quarter of their junior year about their honors project ideas.
Application Process
Applicants should design a project in collaboration with a proposed faculty thesis advisor and the FGSS Associate Director ahead of completing the honors application. A formal application must be submitted to the FGSS Assistant Director of Student Services, Winni Ni, by mid-March of the student’s junior year.
Program Requirements
Completion of FEMGEN 101, 103, and most FEMGEN major classes before Senior year. Take FEMGEN 104X in junior year. FEMGEN 101 and 103 must be taken for 4–5 units and a letter grade.
Completion of 12–18 total units of FEMGEN 199 (Honors Workshop) and FEMGEN 105 (Honors Work), taken concurrently over three quarters (minimum 4 units per quarter). These units do not count toward the major.
Key Program Deadlines:
Honors project - Semifinal draft due: April 17 of senior year
Final draft due: May 1 (or following Monday if May 1 falls on a weekend), with Thesis/Project Completion Form
Required presentation at the end-of-year honors banquet
Creative projects must include a critical analysis section
For complete details and forms, see the honors section of the program website.
For Majors in Other Departments
The FGSS Interdisciplinary Honors Program provides qualified undergraduates from any major the opportunity to conduct independent research leading to a senior thesis or creative project focused on gender or sexuality. Eligibility requires a minimum 3.5 GPA in FGSS coursework. Interested students should consult with their major advisor and FGSS Associate Director Dr. Halima Kazem by the end of winter quarter of their junior year about their honors project ideas.
Application Process
Applicants design a project in collaboration with a proposed faculty thesis advisor and the FGSS Associate Director ahead of completing the honors application. A formal application must be submitted to the FGSS Assistant Director of Student Services, Winni Ni, by mid-March of the student’s junior year.
Program Requirements
Completion of FEMGEN 101, 103, or 131 plus two additional FEMGEN courses. FEMGEN 104X in junior year is strongly encouraged. FEMGEN 101 and 103 must be taken for 4–5 units and a letter grade. It is highly recommended to take these courses before winter of junior year.
Completion of 12–18 total units of FEMGEN 199 (Honors Workshop) and FEMGEN 105 (Honors Work), taken concurrently over three quarters (minimum 4 units per quarter). These units do not count toward the major or minor.
Key Program Deadlines:
Honors project - Semifinal draft due: April 17 of senior year
Final draft due: May 1 (or following Monday if May 1 falls on a weekend), with Thesis/Project Completion Form
Required presentation at the end-of-year honors banquet
Creative projects must include a critical analysis section
For complete details and forms, see the honors section of the program website.
For Majors in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Admission—The honors program offers an opportunity to do independent research for a senior thesis. It is open to students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in coursework in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or demonstrated academic competence. Students should begin the application process by consulting with the Program Director or the Associate Director as early as possible in their junior year, preferably by the end of winter quarter.
Students design a project in consultation with their proposed thesis advisors and the Associate Director during the application process. A proposal describing the project and the number of units to be taken toward the honors-directed project must be submitted to the program office for final approval. All projects must have a primary focus on gender or sexuality. See the honors section of the program website for additional details.
Note: FEMGEN 199A/B/C Honors Seminar and FEMGEN 105 Honors Work units do not count towards the 63 units for the major or the 30 units for the minor.
Requirements
Students enroll for 2-3 units per quarter in course, course, and course Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Honors Workshop.
Students in the honors program also enroll for course Honors Work with their respective advisors for an additional 2-3 units each quarter. The combined number of units in 199 and 105 must be 10-15 units over the senior year.
A semifinal thesis draft is due early in spring quarter of the senior year.
The final thesis must be submitted by the Monday of the 6th week of the Spring quarter. The completed thesis must be submitted with the Thesis Completion Form, which requires the advisor’s signature of approval. Creative projects must include a section on critical analysis. For guidelines, see the honors section of the program website.
For Majors in Other Departments
Interdisciplinary Honors in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies for majors in other departments or programs, as distinguished from honors for students pursuing a major in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, is intended to complement study in any major. Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minors who wish to pursue honors in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies should apply through the process for non-majors.
Admission
The Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies honors program is open to students majoring in any field with an overall GPA of 3.5 or better or demonstrated academic competence.
Students must complete the following with a grade of B+ or better:
Either course Introduction to Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or course Feminist and Sexuality Theories and Methods Across the Disciplines, and two other FGSS courses related to their research topic.
Students should begin the application process by consulting with the Program Director or the Associate Director as early as possible in their junior year, preferably by the end of winter quarter. Students design a project in consultation with their proposed thesis advisors and the Associate Director during the application process. A proposal describing the project and the number of units to be taken toward the honors-directed project must be submitted to the program office for final approval. All projects must have a primary focus on gender or sexuality. See the honors section of the program website for additional details.
Requirements
Students enroll for 2-3 units per quarter in course, course, and course Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Honors Workshop.
Students in the honors program also enroll for course Honors Work with their respective advisors for an additional 2-3 units each quarter. The combined number of units in 199 and 105 must be 10-15 units over the senior year.
A semifinal thesis draft is due early in spring quarter of the senior year.
The final thesis must be submitted by the Monday of the 6th week of the Spring quarter. The completed thesis must be submitted with the Thesis Completion Form, which requires the advisor’s signature of approval. Creative projects must include a section on critical analysis. For guidelines, see the honors section of the program website.
The Humanities and Arts subplan centers the arts, history, literature, language, media, and performance in the analysis of how ideas about feminism, gender, and sexuality are developed, produced, and experienced alongside other categories of difference.
Not all courses are offered every year.
The Queer and Transgender Studies subplan focuses on the histories, practices, and theories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer identities and communities through multidisciplinary study.
Not all courses are offered every year.
The Technology, Science, and Medicine subplan investigates ethical considerations in how gender, sex, sexuality and other categories of embodied difference shape and are shaped by technology, science, and health and medicine in the application of scientific knowledge.
Not all courses are offered every year.
The Law and Social Sciences subplan investigates how gender, sex, and sexuality and other categories of embodied difference are studied, regulated, and experienced in economics, politics, education, public policy, and the law.
Not all courses are offered every year.
Students interested in an individually designed subplan should speak to a prospective advisor from the list of affiliated faculty, and should develop a proposal describing a thematic focus and outlining a course of study. The proposal is then submitted to the Program Office (Bldg. 460, Room 216) for approval by the Director or Associate Director.
The following subplans are being sunsetted, as of Academic Year 2024-2025:
Arts & Culture
Health
Global Studies
LGBTQ/Queer Studies
Students currently enrolled in those subplans will be able to finish the requirements for their degrees. But the subplans can no longer be declared for students who have not yet chosen a subplan. Students working to complete the retiring subplans can view the Academic Year 2023-2024 Bulletin to view their requirements, and can also refer to My Academic Path (MAP), which will also have the requirements for their subplan listed.