The central academic concern of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) is to question traditional power-based approaches of knowledge acquisition and replace them with newer approaches. Thus WGSS is less a discipline of its own than a critique of all disciplines, since power-relations permeate all fields in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

During their time at Tufts, students explore the foundational feminist arguments and the history of feminism and sexuality in interdisciplinary classes that investigate the interconnectedness of race, gender, ethnicity, class, and sexuality. 

The Women’s Center and LGBT Center assist students who want to expand their study to include hands-on advocacy, activist, or professional development opportunities. In the past, majors have interned through local organizations such as the Women’s State-Wide Legislative Network in Boston and the Somerville Commission for Women.

Students who choose to address issues affecting women globally have the option to study abroad during their junior year. Both a major and a minor in women’s studies are available.

Sample Classes:

• Queering Feminisms: Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Sex and Money
• Masculine Mystique
• Feminist Theologies
• Feminist Philosophies

Photo credit: Alonso Nichols/Tufts University from Photoshelter