BA in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies

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BA in WGSS Page

Effective August 17, 2023

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at San Jose State is committed to intersectional and interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching based on feminist frameworks. WGSS curriculum investigates how gender and gender identity, race, class, sexuality, and nation shape lives. The program emphasizes the importance of an intersectional understanding of gender as integral to social and political structures of power. Students will obtain skills to cultivate critical thinking, engage in dialogue, coalition building, appreciation of diversity, and contribution to social change based on feminist frameworks. The goal of the WGSS program includes integrating the academic and experiential, thereby contributing to social change and justice.

Program Coordinator: Assistant Professor Susana L. Gallardo
        WGSS Office hours: Mondays 1-3 pm, Dudley Moorhead Hall 238A

WGSS Faculty

Tanya Bakhru, Professor

Angela Castillo, Senior Lecturer 

Susana L. Gallardo, Assistant Professor

Bianca Hernandez, Lecturer

CJ Jones, Assistant Professor

WGSS Faculty

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies students are expected to be able to:

  1. Identify and analyze the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, class, and nation social and institutional contexts.
  2. Identify and describe major theories and political movements central to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, placing contemporary developments in cultural, historical, environmental, and embodied contexts.
  3. Describe the global span of feminist movements and the connection among gender and sexual minorities around the world.
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking and research skills through written, oral and creative means.

The Major

All Students should regularly consult the WGSS major advisor. WGSS advisors have drop-in advising hours; for a schedule of advising hours, see Advising. 

Requirements of the Major (39 units)

To see a list of courses for the major concentration, and course descriptions, please see the current SJSU catalog.

Notes

See the SJSU Catalog for complete degree information on the BA in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Requirements of the major are only part of the requirements for graduation, as briefly summarized here:

Required Units for Graduation in BA in WGSS
Requirements Units
University Graduation Requirements

44 units
Major Requirements

39 units
University Electives

37 units 
Total

120 units


A minor in another department is strongly recommended.

Some classes “double count” in GE or SJSU Studies as well as in the WGSS major. However, the units for the class only count once. Students should keep track of the cumulative number of units they have earned. Check your transcript on MYSJSU.

2025 Spring Celebration of the WGSS Major

WGSS major

featuring Emeriti faculty guests

  • Dr. Maria Luisa Alaniz, Sociology
  • Dr. Shahin Gerami, Sociology
  • Dr. Lois Helmbold, WGSS/History
  • Dr. Carol Mukhopadhyay, Anthropology 
  • Dr. Victoria Rue, Religious Studies 
  • Dr. Jennifer Rycenga, Humanities/Religious Studies 

and Alumni panel 

  • Tarhata Brazsal - Assistant Nurse Manager, Valley Health Clinic, former Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE)
  • Angela Castillo - Lecturer Faculty, SJSU, West Valley College, and Gavilan College
  • Bianca Hernandez - Rape Crisis Counselor and Director of Community Engagement, Monterey County YWCA
  • Lindsay Leong - Spoken Word Artist/Organizer, San Jose
  • Alysyn Martinez, JD - Housing Attorney with Community Legal Services 
  • Denisse Mendez - MFT - Youth Mental Health Manager San Francisco LGBT Community Center WGSS timeline

Carol Mukhopadhyay Feminist Lecture Series

The SJSU Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies program is home to the biannual Carol Mukhopadhyay Feminist Lecture Series endowed in 2014 by Emeritus SJSU Anthropology Professor Carol Mukhopadhyay. Each year, these lectures bring to campus a prominent or emerging feminist scholar doing cross-cultural or transnational work with a feminist anthropological lens. 

Our most recent Lecture: Kelly the Barber: The Significance of Gender Affirming Hair

Flier

In 2023, WGSS began organizing the annual Trans * Teach-In along with College of Social Science Dean Ann Marie Todda, the Pride Center, Gender Equiy Center, and Student Wellness Center as well as SJSU students. 

2026 Keynote by Erin Reed

2025 Keynote panel on Trans* Participaation in Sports by Helen Carol (NCLR), Christina Kahri (SF Chronicle) & Dr. CJ Jones (SCU)

2024 Keynote by Dr. Jane Fernandes, President of Antioch College (OH), Transgender Law Center Affilate, February 14, 2024