Jun 02, 2025

2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog [DRAFT]

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2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog [DRAFT]

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, BA

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Admissions: Open

Process: Declaration

Min. Total Credits: 120 (79 in core & major + 41 in electives)

UHM General Education Core Requirements

Foundations

Written Communication (FW)

(3 credits)

Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)

Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor.

(FQ; 3 credits) replaces Symbolic Reasoning (FS; 3 credits) effective Fall 2018

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)

(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits)

Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times

FGA

WGSS 175 - History of Gender, Sex, and Sexuality in Global Perspectives to 1500 CE Credits: 3

FGB

WGSS 176 - History of Gender, Sex and Sexuality in Global Perspective, 1500 CE to the Present Credits: 3

Diversification

* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these.

Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)

(6 credits from 2 categories)

Arts (DA*)
Humanities (DH*)
Literatures (DL*)

Natural Sciences

Biological Science (DB*; 3 credits)
Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit)

Social Sciences (DS)

(DS*; a total of 6 credits from 2 different departments)

WGSS 439 - Feminist Theory Credits: 3
OR
POLS 339 - Feminist Theory Credits: 3
WGSS 440 - Feminist Methods and Research Credits: 3

UHM Graduation Requirements

Focus

**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”

Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)

(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)

Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)

(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Oral Communication (O)

(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Writing Intensive (W)

(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level)

Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)

competence at the 202 level

Credit Minimums

120 total applicable
30 UH Mānoa credits
45 upper-division (300+ level) credits

Grade Point Average

2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required.)
Good academic standing

College Requirements

Credit Maximums

8 KRS activity
9 Directed Reading / Research
12 Practicum / Internship

Note

This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet regularly with your major advisor.

Major Requirements for BA in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Admission: Open
Application: NA
Min. major credits: 30
Min. C grade (not C-) in all courses

Requirements

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Core Courses (6 credits)

WGSS 439 - Feminist Theory Credits: 3 *^DS
OR
POLS 339 - Feminist Theory Credits: 3 *^DS
WGSS 440 - Feminist Methods and Research Credits: 3 *^DS

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Focus (choose either general or special focus only)

General Focus (24 credits)

Course focuses on gender, race, and ethnicity in the transnational perspective (Need at least 3 courses)

WGSS 3xx*
WGSS 3xx*
WGSS 3xx*
WGSS 4xx
WGSS xxx
WGSS xxx
WGSS xxx
WGSS xxx

Special Focus (24 credits)

Course focuses on gender, race, and ethnicity in the transnational perspective (Need at least 3 courses)

WGSS 3xx*
WGSS 3xx*
WGSS 300+*
300+ or WGSS xxx
300+ or WGSS xxx
300+ or WGSS xxx
300+ or WGSS xxx
300+ or WGSS xxx

Notes

College of Social Sciences Advising; Dean 2; (808) 956-0661; cssadvcl@hawaii.edu

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department: Saunders 722; (808) 956-7464; wgss.manoa.hawaii.edu

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Undergraduate Advisor: Lisa M. Vallin; Saunders 722B; (808) 956-2484; vallin@hawaii.edu

4-Year Plan

This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan.

Year 1

Fall

FW (or FQ) Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C)* Credits: 3
DS** Credits: 3
HSL 101 Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Spring

FQ (or FW) Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
DA/DH/DL** Credits: 3
HSL 102 Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 30

Year 2

Fall

WGSS Focus 100 or 200*** Credits: 3
DB** (or DP) Credits: 3
DY Credits: 1
HSL 201 Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 16

Spring

WGSS Focus 300+ Credits: 3
DP (or DB) Credits: 3
DA/DH/DL** Credits: 3
HSL 202 Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 61

Year 3

Fall

WGSS Focus Credits: 3
WGSS Focus Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 2
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 14

Spring

WGSS 439 - Feminist Theory Credits: 3 (DS)
OR
POLS 339 - Feminist Theory Credits: 3 (DS)
WGSS Focus Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 90

Year 4

Fall

WGSS 440 - Feminist Methods and Research Credits: 3 (DS)
WGSS Focus 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 15

Spring

WGSS Focus 300+ Credits: 3
WGSS Focus 400+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 120

Notes:

*Recommended WGSS 175 /WGSS 176
**Can be double counted with major; see your academic advisor for details.
***Recommended WGSS 151  (pre-requisite for many WGSS courses)
Students must incorporate all Focus requirements into this plan. Focus designations (i.e., W, E, O, H) are CRN specific & semester specific.
Minimum 45 upper-division (300+ course) credits are required.