The Women's Studies Minor at MSUB is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program that allows students to develop expertise in a wide range of subjects. Students take a required introductory course (WGSS 274) and a required Senior Thesis Capstone (WGSS 499). The remaining credits are made up of electives from across the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. 

The field of Women’s Studies is interdisciplinary, sourcing from anthropology, art, education, history, literature, psychology, and sociology, among others. The curriculum reflects this orientation. This program equips students with critical thinking skills and an understanding of historical perspectives. Students learn about gender inequality, the formation and enforcement of gender roles, the LGBTQ+ community, feminism, and the intersection of gender, race, class and other identities. 

The minor in Women's Studies will prepare students for occupational and societal success across a range of fields including, but not limited to: Art and Literature, Communications, Philosophy, History, Education, Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Native American Studies, Social Work and Counseling, Advocacy, Community Organization, Public Relations, Public Administration, Languages, Economics, Math, and Biological and Physical Sciences. Women's and Gender studies signifies to employers an understanding of diverse social issues, intersectionality, and social inequalities. As a result, career opportunities are diverse. Graduates are currently working in the fields of law, education, social work, business, healthcare, and more. 

For more information about the Women’s Studies program, please contact the Department of History or Jennifer Lynn, Professor of History and Co-Director of the Women's and Gender Studies Center (406-657-2922, jennifer.lynn1@msubillings.edu). 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• identify basic theoretical concepts of interdisciplinary feminist and queer thought.
• apply an intersectional framework to examine local, national, and global social inequalities.
• collaborate to identify and address issues impacting the local community.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
WGSS 274	Women, Culture & Society *	3
WGSS 499	Senior Thesis/Capstone 1	3
Subtotal		6
Restricted Electives
Select five courses from the following:		15
ARTH 436	The History of Women in Art
CJUS 335	Victimology
COMX 482	Gender, Media, and Society
HSTA 408	Gender in America
HSTR 494	Seminar/Workshop
LIT 335	Women & Lit
NASX 406	Hist of American Indian Women
PHL 375	Women, Philosophy and Religion
PSYX 335	Psychology of Gender
SOCI 326	Sociology of Gender
SOCI 332	Sociology of the Family
SOCI 434	Sociology of Human Sexuality
Other courses which may be used to satisfy Restricted Elective requirements:
WGSS 492	Independent Study
WGSS 294/494	Seminar/Workshop
WGSS 498	Internship/Cooperative Educ
Subtotal		15
Total Minimum Credits		21

*

May satisfy General Education requirements.

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Service Learning in Women’s Studies 
A central component to the Capstone Seminar (WGSS 499) will be a service learning project. The goal of the project is to provide students with both a robust academic curriculum and the opportunity to provide valuable services of benefit to local and regional organizations and the wider communities they serve. Each Capstone class will partner with a community organization to work on a semester-long project designed to meet both the academic goals of the course and program and the needs of the community partner.

Certain courses in this program have prerequisites; students should check the course descriptions for required prerequisites.