The women's, transgender and queer studies (WTQS) program is an interdisciplinary major that engages feminist, Indigenous, transgender and queer lenses to understand, analyze and transform interconnected systems of oppression. Through intersectional and reflective approaches, we examine gender inequalities, gender identities and gender expressions, sexualities, race, socioeconomic class, disabilities, immigration status, LGBTQ+ issues and health disparities at local, national and global levels.
Wells College is geographically located near or at the intersection of social justice movements: Harriet Tubman and her abolitionist and political activism, the women's suffrage movement created through relationships between the early White feminists and Haudenosaunee women in Seneca Falls, the influence of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee governance system on the creation of the U.S. Constitution. WTQS, at Wells, therefore pays particular attention to the ways that our geographic and historical location shapes our work within women's, transgender, and queer studies. Grounded in place and applying a paradigm of intersectionality, WTQS students develop a wide range of analytical skills, reflective practices, creativity, and innovation through collaborative experiential learning — not only vital career skills, but transformative methods in creating amore just world for gender and sexual diversity.
The total number of courses required for the major is 10 (30−32 sem. hrs.).
All of the following: (30−32 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 148 Introduction to Women’s, Transgender and Queer Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 245 Body Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 260 Indigenous Women’s Experiences (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS/HS 200Gender, Sexuality and Health (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 302Intersectionalities (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 303Transgender Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS/THEA 210Queer Theatre and Feminist Activism (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS/THEA 320Marginalized Voices: Women Playwrights (3 sem. hrs.)
-or- HIST/WTQS 304 Women and Gender in Asian History (3 sem. hrs.)
-or- WTQS 230 Women and Gender in Sport (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 401 Senior Project in Women’s, Transgender and Queer Studies (4 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 290/390Internship in Women’s, Transgender and Queer Studies (2−4 sem. hrs.)
Women’s and gender studies minor is an interdisciplinary course of study that engages feminist, transgender, queer and indigenizing theories and reflective practices to understand, analyze and transform interconnected systems of oppression.
The total number of courses required for the minor is 6 (16−19 sem. hrs.).
All of the following (16−19 sem. hrs.):
WTQS 148 Introduction to Women’s, Transgender and Queer Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 245 Body Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 260 Indigenous Women’s Experiences (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 302 Intersectionalities (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 303 Transgender Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
WTQS 290/390 Internship in Women’s, Transgender and Queer Studies (2−4 sem. hrs.)
