What is a women’s, gender, and sexuality studies minor?

Increasingly, students are drawn to women’s, gender, and sexuality studies to give voice to marginalized people and groups. Regardless of how they identify, students are driven by their passion to engage with issues of the day – violence against women and children, social justice, the #MeToo movement, ableism, equitable access to technology, ageism and women’s underrepresentation in health care and public policy leadership. A minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies trains a lens on these and other issues. Take your first steps by contacting admissions or reading more about how to apply.

Why study Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Furman?

Through a multidisciplinary model, the WGSS minor casts a wide net that includes 13 academic departments in addition to WGSS courses. Deliberately small classes create space for unfettered discussion, reflection, critical thinking and analysis. Build self-confidence as you sharpen your oral presentation and writing skills and critical thinking acumen. Connect classroom to community by identifying and solving problems on a local or campus level.

How will you learn?

Explore coursework with context through internships and research designed to focus your interests in areas most meaningful to you – women’s and children’s advocacy, LGBTQIA+ issues and inequities in health care. Travel to Sweden to compare sex education programs with those in the U.S. Or stay on campus for May Experience, “Sexual Revolutions in America.” Plan a visit to Furman’s beautiful campus or start your application today.

Featured Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies courses

More than a dozen academic departments from anthropology to economics are leveraged to deliver a well-rounded interdisciplinary minor.

View Minor Requirements
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Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor FAQ

  • 86%
    Students who have participated in an engaged learning experience
  • 37%
    Students who research with faculty or conduct independent studies
  • 14
    Average class size

What our students say

“The WGSS program was a truly kaleidoscopic experience that transformed my education. Learning about ‘her-stories’ and others’ experiences infused my passion to connect with and better comprehend the world around me.”
- Olivia Glad ’21

Our faculty

Your academic advisor will help you explore your passions, define your interests and achieve your goals. You’ll tap into a widespread network of community and alumni mentors to help you on your individual educational path – and to the opportunities at the end of it. Furman’s WGSS faculty represent decades of study and real-world expertise.

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Erik Anderson

Professor of Philosophy
Sarah Archino

Sarah Archino

Department Chair, Associate Professor of Art History
Kerstin Blomquist

Kerstin Blomquist

Professor of Psychology
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Gretchen Braun

Professor, English and Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies
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Kathleen Casey

Director, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program; Professor of History
Mahan Ellison - Modern Languages

Mahan Ellison

Professor of Spanish
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Kylie Fisher

Assistant Professor of Art History
Linnea Freeman

Linnea Freeman

Associate Professor, Biology
Scott Henderson

Scott Henderson

William R. Kenan Jr. Professor, Education; Director of National and International Scholarships; Philosophy and History of Education
Jessica Hennessey

Jessica Hennessey

John D. Hollingsworth Professor of Economics; Department Chair
Dr. Tugce Kayaal headshot

Tuğçe Kayaal

Assistant Professor, History
Cynthia King

Cynthia King

Associate Dean of Academic Community
Lisa I. Knight

Lisa Knight

Alva and Beatrice Bradley Professor of Anthropology, Asian Studies, and Religion; Chair, Department of Anthropology
Camille Lewis headshot

Camille Lewis

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Angelica Losano Alonzo

Angélica Lozano-Alonso

Professor of Spanish; Modern Language Center Coordinator
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Victoria Montrose

James B. Duke Assistant Professor of Asian Studies and Religion
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Timothy Piper

Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
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Nicholas Radel

Professor of English
Kaniqua Robinson

Kaniqua Robinson

Associate Professor, Anthropology
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Elizabeth Smith

Professor, Department of Politics and International Affairs; Assistant Faculty Director, The Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection; Faculty Council At-Large Representative
Dr. Sneed

Roger Sneed

Professor of Religion
Marian Strobel headshot

Marian Strobel

William Montgomery Burnett Professor Emeritus, History
Alfons Teipen

Alfons Teipen

Professor of Religion, Director of Middle East and Islamic Studies Minor
Victoria Turgeon

Victoria Turgeon

Professor,Biology; Academic Director, Prisma Health Partnership; Faculty Ombuds
Mai Nou Xiong-Gum

Mai Nou Xiong-Gum

Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
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