Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies

FALL 2022 INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN RACE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES PROGRAMS

HERE YOU’LL FIND: Advising information for our new RGSS major and minor and ongoing programs in ERS, WS, Social Justice, and Hmong and Hmong American Studies Certificate.

TIME TO CONSIDER OUR NEW MAJOR/MINOR IN RGSS:

You can now declare an RGSS major or minor!  If you want to consider switching from your current WS or ERS major or minor or add this major or minor to your SJ minor or HHAS certificate, see the attached information on our new major and minor. And feel free to reach out with questions or meet with me or your current adviser.  

OFFICE HOURS FOR ADVISING QUESTIONS WITH RGSS CHAIR, DR. VANDENBERG-DAVES

My office hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1-4.  Drop in anytime to 4302 Centennial, and I can answer questions for you about the major or minor or our other programs.  Some of you who are majors also have major advisers in the program (Dr. Breaux and Dr. Lilley).  Feel free to reach out to those advisers as well. 

THINGS TO KNOW….

INTRODUCTORY COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RGSS

For purposes of any of our programs, you can consider ERS 100, WGS 100, and RGS 100 to be interchangeable as introductory courses, if you're planning to do our new RGSS major/minor. So, if you want to declare that major or minor, your ERS 100 or WGS 100 can count, and you don't need to take RGS 100.

CONTINUING STUDENTS IN OUR ERS, WS, SJ, AND HHAS PROGRAMS:

• Though we’re not accepting new declaration of majors or minors in ERS or WGSS, if you are already in the ERS or WS minor or the WS major, you can continue on in and finish up your degree in your existing program OR you can switch into the RGSS major or minor.  
• If you're in the Social Justice minor or Hmong and Hmong American Studies certificate program, the only change for you is course prefix changes, noted below.   You're also invited to consider an RGSS major or minor!

PREFIX CHANGES FOR STUDENTS IN ALL PROGRAMS: to RGS

• As you look for courses in WINGS, know that we've switched over the prefixes of courses:  Previously ERS or WGS courses now have an RGS prefix in WINGS, as do any new courses in RGSS.

CAPSTONE: FOR ALL ERS/WGSS/RGSS MAJOR STUDENTS:

The capstone course that we'll now be offering is RGS 490: RGSS Senior Capstone. Whether you're graduating with an ERS minor, a WS major or minor, or the new RGSS major, this is the course you should plan on taking as a capstone course. (Not ERS 490 or WGS 499; those are no longer being offered, but the RGS capstone is very similar to both.). It'll be offered spring semesters.

IF YOU'RE THINKING OF SWITCHING TO RGSS MAJOR/MINOR:

• Know that the new RGSS minor is 21 credits--same as the WS minor, but 3 credits more than the current ERS minor.
• The new RGSS minor adds requirements in theory and methods, but drops the capstone requirement.
• The new RGSS major is the same # of credits as the WS major and has very similar requirements to the WS major.

THEORY, METHODS, AND CAPSTONE REQUIREMENTS & WHEN THEY’LL BE OFFERED: 

• Theory:  Dr. Terry Lilley will offer RGS 340 Objectively Biased: Knowledge Systems as Power Systems in Fall 2023.  
• Research Methods: The "Social Justice Research Methods" course that was required for WS and RGSS has been renamed "Critical Research and Advocacy Methods" and has a new course # of RGS 377. It will be offered in Fall, 2023 by Dr. Sona Kazemi.
•  As noted above, the Capstone requirement will be offered in Spring, 2023: RGS 490 Senior Seminar Capstone, with Dr. Richard Breaux and will generally be offered spring semesters.