Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

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OFFICE: Arts and Letters 346
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6524
WEBSITE: http://womensstudies.sdsu.edu/

Undergraduate Information

The Major

The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers students a course of study that explores all forms of social ecological justice through intersectional/Women of Color and transnational feminist, queer, and trans lenses; develops innovative multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary approaches; stimulates scholarly research in areas relevant to women, gender, and sexuality; provides an open forum for the exchange of ideas among students, faculty, and community; cultivates new generations of feminist thinkers; and bridges theory and practice as we work toward liberation. SDSU has offered courses in women’s studies since 1969 and has one of the strongest academic programs in the nation.

A degree in Women’s and Gender Studies may be used as preparation for a wide range of careers. Professional opportunities exist in political and social agencies working with women and other marginalized groups and developing public policy on issues of concern to them such as health care, employment, family violence, and education. Women’s and Gender Studies students prepare for careers in such fields as community organizing, education, journalism, law, personnel, psychology, public administration, and social services. The skills that Women’s and Gender Studies majors develop in critical thinking and analysis are highly valued in many additional occupations and professions today. A Women’s and Gender Studies major may also go on to advanced academic work preparing for a career as a feminist scholar.

Many Women’s and Gender Studies majors plan double majors to enhance their career opportunities.

Graduate Information

Assistantships and Teaching Associateships

Graduate assistantships with faculty in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies are offered on a competitive basis to first-year students. Second-year students may apply for a Graduate Teaching Associateship position. Additional information may be obtained from the graduate advisor in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or online.

General Information

The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in Feminist Studies.

The department, recognized as the nation’s first (1970) and among the strongest, has a distinguished faculty in the humanities and social sciences. Discipline-specific expertise as well as feminist theoretical paradigms are available to satisfy students’ multifaceted interests.

The Master of Arts degree is designed to provide advanced training for (1) students who plan to terminate their graduate studies at the master’s level, and (2) those who anticipate further study leading to a doctoral degree in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies or related fields. The degree will also provide a foundation for further graduate work in professional degree programs such as counseling, social work, law, and public health. It will also prepare students for teaching in a community college and other institutions of higher learning. The Master of Arts will enhance students’ ability to participate professionally in a range of organizations and businesses in the public and private sectors, particularly those addressing feminist issues.

Admission to Graduate Study

The application deadline for fall admission of new students in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is February 1 for the Cal State Apply application and February 15 for department materials. All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration . Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee. Additionally, applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient preparation for the program. This preparation can include possession of a bachelor’s degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from an accredited institution or completion of coursework in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and related fields. Evaluation of a student’s transcript will be made on an individual basis by the admissions committee to determine whether evidence of sufficient preparation can be demonstrated. A student whose preparation is deemed insufficient by the Graduate Admissions Committee may be admitted as conditionally classified and will be required to complete specified courses as part of the minimum of 30 units required for the degree.

Graduate Admissions

All applicants must submit admissions materials as specified below.

1. University application (Cal State Apply at http://www.calstate.edu/apply).
   
   All applicants to the program must complete an online application on Cal State Apply and pay the required fee by February 1. A RedID will then be assigned which allows tracking of application status online.
    
2. Office of Graduate Admissions requirements.
   
   Official test scores and transcripts must be received by March 1.
   • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
   • TOEFL test scores sent directly from ETS if applicable. (SDSU Institution Code 4682)

Send to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

The following department admissions materials must be submitted electronically by February 15:

1. Copies of unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (these do not need to be sent directly from the colleges - photocopies are acceptable);
2. Copies of TOEFL test scores if applicable;
3. Two letters of recommendation - applicant must provide names and e-mail addresses for recommenders. Recommenders will be invited to complete the recommendation electronically;
4. An approximately 500 word statement of purpose, concerning the applicant’s scholarly background, research interests, and goals. The statement should address the applicant’s prior academic work, especially experience in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and with feminist issues, present a rationale for pursuing the M.A. degree, and discuss how the M.A. degree in Feminist Studies relates to their career objectives. Explain how your understanding of feminism intersects with disability, class, race, sexuality, and other dimensions of difference;
5. A scholarly writing sample of no more than 20 pages in length;
6. A resume or CV;
7. Applicants must state whether they are applying for full-time or part-time status. (A small number of part-time students may be admitted each year. Applicants should read carefully the information provided under part-time program guidelines.)
8. For information regarding the admissions process, visit the department website at http://womensstudies.sdsu.edu/.

Faculty

Chair: Price, Kimala, Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., Tulane University; Ph.D., University of Michigan)

Undergraduate Adviser: Martinez, Paola, Student Success Advisor, CAL Student Success Center (wmnstadvising@sdsu.edu) (B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara; M.S., California State University, Fullerton)

Internship Advisor: Lara, Irene, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., Stanford University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Graduate Admissions and Graduate Advisor: Jarmakani, Amira J., Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., Duke University; M.A., Ph.D., Emory University)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Donadey, Anne, Professor of French and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., M.A., Universite de Nice, France; Ph.D., Northwestern University)

Coker, Angela, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., Brooklyn College; M.S., University of Wyoming; Ph.D., The Union Institute & University)

Draz, Marie, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Director of LGBTQ+ Studies (B.A., Southwestern University; M.A., Ph.D., DePaul University)

Hua, Anh, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., York University, Canada)

Kandaswamy, Priya, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Knott, Christine, Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., McGill University, Canada;  M.W.S., Ph.D., Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)

Whatcott, Jess, Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A., M.A., Humboldt State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz)

Emeritus Faculty:

Cayleff, Susan E., Ph.D., 1987-2020, Professor of Women’s Studies

Colwill, Elizabeth A., Ph.D., 1989-2012, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies

Espín, Oliva M., Ph.D., 1990-2002, Professor of Women’s Studies

Ghosh, Huma Ahmed, Ph.D., 1994-2020, Professor of Women’s Studies

Huckle, Patricia, Ph.D., 1975-2001, Professor of Women’s Studies

Jones, Kathleen B., Ph.D., 1981-2003, Professor of Women’s Studies

Mattingly, Doreen, Ph.D. 1995-2020, Professor of Women’s Studies

Rothblum, Esther D., Ph.D., 2005-2021, Professor of Women’s Studies

Scott, Bonnie K., Ph.D., 2001-2011, Professor of Women’s Studies

Watson, Maria-Barbara, Ph.D., 1976-2003, Professor of Women’s Studies

Zimmerman, Bonnie S., Ph.D., 1978-2010, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs; Professor of Women’s Studies

Programs

• Feminist Studies, M.A.
• Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate
• Women’s and Gender Studies Minor
• Women’s and Gender Studies, B.A.
• Women’s Studies Advanced Certificate

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