Women’s and Ethnic Studies, BA

Outcomes

Interdisciplinary approach: To think critically about intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, nationality and other hierarchies. Understanding history, culture and society from a range of perspectives, including those emanating from communities whose stories and lives have been marginalized.
Scholarly sophistication: To write sophisticated autobiographical, analytical, and research papers; create artistic work; and express oneself with clarity and confidence.
Developing knowledge: To develop consciousness about multiethnic and gender issues locally, domestically, globally and transnationally. To become well versed in the rapidly increasing scholarship on women and racial/ethnic groups with special focus on transnational studies; literary and artistic achievements; historical, social, political, and economic conditions; families and communities; and people’s strategies for liberation.
Engaged teaching and learning: To excel in classes that allow students to claim an education, that value their contributions, and that challenge and incite students’ intellectual imaginations. To study with a multiracial/ethnic group of faculty.
Community: To develop a sense of belonging to an intellectual field and community that is innovative, multiracial, and inclusive; learning to work with integrity and openness with people from diverse backgrounds. To build bridges across race, class, sexuality, nationality, age and religion and apply this knowledge to other disciplines and communities; to see a link between theory and practice.
Social change: To develop skills to shape our collective future in ways that foster diversity and equity. To gain the preparation needed to earn graduate degrees and/or obtain employment in WEST-related fields and work with people from a range of backgrounds.

BA General Requirements—WEST

Major requirements:

Five core courses, one course from each of the four substantive areas, and three other upper-level division electives.

Required Core Courses (27 credits)

Each of the following five courses is required for the major (15 credits):

WEST 2010 - Introduction to Race and Gender
WEST 3300 - Methodologies in Women’s and Ethnic Studies
WEST 3400 - Gender and Race Theory
WEST 3660 - Community Service and Learning WEST offers various special topics courses (WEST 4900: Studying in Cuernavaca Mexico, WEST 3900: Gender and Culture in Egypt), and other travel courses that may satisfy the WEST 3660 requirement.
WEST 4950 - Capstone Senior Seminar

Choose one from each of the following substantive areas (a total of four) for the major (12 credits)

History and Communities

Upper-level division courses (9 credits)

Choose 3 electives that are all upper-level division courses. This may include WEST 9400: Independent Study. Electives may be selected from among any WEST department or WEST cross-listed courses (including those above).

Transfer credits:

A major is 36 (maximum 54) hours. At least 21 credits must be upper-division, of which15 must be taken at UCCS.

Dual Majors

Students interested in a dual major in Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST) and other disciplines will need to complete the requirements for both majors, but they may double-count up to two courses (6 credits) that are cross-listed between the two disciplines. For more information, contact the WEST Major or Minor director.