Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
General Planning Tips for Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
- The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies curriculum is quite flexible, and with careful planning you can study abroad for a semester and still graduate on time.
- There are a wide variety of WGSS electives to choose from abroad. Many of the courses focus on concepts and issues unique to that particular country giving you a chance to study a topic that is not offered at KU.
- Study abroad is a great way to satisfy your KU Core requirements. Therefore, it is a good idea to reserve some of your KU Core classes to take abroad.
- Scholarships are available for study abroad both through KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement and national organizations. Research your opportunities early.
When To Go
Freshman
- Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor during your first semester at KU to discuss your graduation plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience. For information about WGSS advising, see WGSS Advising.
- After you’ve met with your WGSS advisor, continue your program research by visiting the KU Study Abroad Info Center in 105 Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
- Studying abroad usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it’s good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
- Complete your introductory course, WGSS 101 or 102, before going abroad.
- There are a few programs offering WGSS elective courses over the summer term. Summer program application deadlines are typically on February 15th, so visit the Study Abroad Info Center early in the spring semester to learn more about these options.
- The summer before your sophomore year would also be a great time to take some of your KU Core courses abroad.
Sophomore and Junior
- WGSS majors can study abroad during the fall or spring semester of their sophomore or junior year.
- WGSS majors are required to take their methods course, WGSS 501, at KU, and it is only offered at KU during the fall semester. Students typically take this course during the fall semester of their junior year, but if that is the semester you plan to study abroad, you could take WGSS 501 during the fall of your senior year.
- You can take a combination of WGSS major courses, WGSS elective courses, minor requirements, and/or KU Core requirements during your semester abroad.
- If you are planning to study abroad during the spring semester of your senior year, you will need to take WGSS 601 during the spring of your junior year as that course must be taken at KU.
- Summer is a good time to satisfy your WGSS elective course requirements abroad, and you can pursue these summer programs before your junior or senior year.
- International internships are another great summer program option. These programs offer a great way to gain valuable professional experience in a unique location. There are many locations to choose from, and you can participate in these internships the summer after your sophomore or junior year.
Senior
- Provided that you have successfully completed WGSS 501, you could study abroad during the fall semester of your senior year.
- If you go abroad as a senior, work closely with your academic advisor prior to your departure to make sure that you have completed all your degree requirements.
- WGSS majors are required to take their capstone course, WGSS 601, at KU. WGSS 601 is only offered during the spring semester, so unless you've taken this course your junior year, you should not plan to study abroad during the spring of your senior year.
Courses and Credit
- WGSS faculty have already pre-approved a number of WGSS courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalencies Database.
- If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.
Recommended Semester Programs
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Women's Issues, Sexual Norms in Europe
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Gender and Sexuality in Scandinavia
Kansai Gaidai University - Japan
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Gender, Sexuality, and Culture in Japan
University of Alicante (USAC) - Spain
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Language, Ideology, and Gender; Spanish language studies
University of Cape Town - South Africa
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Meaning of Gender in Africa and Elsewhere; Impact of Economic and Political Development on Men and Women
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Philosophy of Gender; Gender in Archaeology
University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Women and Gender in Chinese History; Sexuality and Empire
Recommended Timing: Fall semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Gender and Crime; Language and Gender
University of Macquarie - Australia
Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Modern Families; Love, Sex, and Friendship
University of Radboud - Netherlands
Recommended Timing: Spring semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Global Sex; Sexuality in Contemporary Media Culture
Experiential Opportunities
Recommended Timing: Summer - after sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Varies by location
Short-Term Programs
Recommended Timing: Summer - after sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Women's Issues, Sexual Norms in Europe
Gender Equity and Well-Being in Iceland
Recommended Timing: Summer - after sophomore or junior year
Course: EPSY 598 Special Topics: Gender Equity and Well-Being in Iceland
Society, Culture & Gender in Amsterdam - Netherlands
Recommended Timing: Summer - after sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Art History, Literature, and Sociology Through the Lens of Gender Studies
University of Alicante (USAC) - Spain
Recommended Timing: Summer - after sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Gender and Communication; Spanish language courses
Recommended Timing: Summer - after sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Gender equality in Nordic Countries