Women's and Gender Studies

Institute for the Study of Sexuality and Gender: 

Department website: https://issg.columbia.edu/

Office location: 763 Schermerhorn Extension 

Office contact: 212-854-3277, issg@columbia.edu

Fall 2025 Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Elizabeth Povinelli, ep2122@columbia.edu

Spring 2026 Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Lila Abu-Lughod, la310@columbia.edu

Undergraduate Program 

Located within the Institute for the Study of Sexuality and Gender, and taught in cooperation with Barnard College’s Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, the program in Women's and Gender Studies provides students with a culturally and historically situated, theoretically diverse, and transnational understanding of feminist and queer scholarship as it engages multiple disciplines.

The program introduces students to key feminist and queer discourses on the cultural and historical representation of nature, power, and the social construction of difference. It encourages students to engage in the debates regarding the ethical and political issues of equality and justice that emerge in such discussion, and links the questions of gender and sexuality to those of racial, ethnic, and other kinds of social difference.

Through sequentially organized courses in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as approved elective courses in a wide range of departments, the degree provides a thoroughly interdisciplinary framework, methodological training, and substantive guidance in specialized areas of research. Small classes taught by our core faculty members and mentored thesis writing give students an education that is both comprehensive and tailored to individual needs.

Graduates leave the program with critical reading, writing, and analytical skills, and gain the tools they need to analyze systems of power operating at personal, national, and international levels. While this prepares some for future scholarly work in the field of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies, others take these skills and apply them to careers and future training in a variety of fields, including: law, public policy, social work, community organizing, public health, film, journalism, medicine, and other professions where gender and sexuality are currently being reimagined and there is a need for critical and creative interdisciplinary thought.

Student Advising

Fall 2025 Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Elizabeth Povinelli, ep2122@columbia.edu

Spring 2026 Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Lila Abu-Lughod, la310@columbia.edu

Consulting Advisers 

For advising inquiries, students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies to schedule an appointment.

To stay informed about departmental updates and events, students can sign up for the listserv by emailing issg@columbia.edu. The listserv releases a weekly newsletter every Thursday, providing information about course offerings, internship opportunities, research projects, and other relevant announcements.

ISSG hosts various events throughout the year, including an annual welcome party for students every fall semester. To view current and previous events, students can visit the ISSG Events Page.

Enrolling in Classes

Certain courses within the WGSS major may have prerequisite coursework that students are expected to have completed or pursue before enrolling. These prerequisites are designed to ensure students have the necessary background knowledge and skills to succeed in the course. Students should review the course descriptions and program requirements on the ISSG Courses page to determine if any prerequisite coursework applies to their desired courses.

Preparing for Graduate Study 

For personalized guidance on preparing for graduate study in WGSS, schedule an appointment with the WGSS Director of Undergraduate Studies. They can offer tailored advice based on your academic and career aspirations, helping you navigate the path to advanced study in the field.

Coursework Taken Outside of Columbia

Coursework in fulfillment of a major or minor [or special program or concentration] must be taken at Columbia University unless explicitly noted here and/or expressly permitted by the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the program. Exceptions or substitutions permitted by the Director of Undergraduate Studies should be confirmed in writing by email to the student.

Barnard College Courses

All Barnard courses are treated as part of the available curriculum and accepted in the major/minor.

Transfer Courses 

When students transfer to Columbia from other institutions, their coursework at their previous institution must first be considered by their school in order to be evaluated for degree credit (e.g., to confirm that the courses will count toward the 124 points of credit that every student is required to complete for the B.A. degree). Only after that degree credit is confirmed, departments may consider whether those courses can also be used to fulfill specific degree requirements toward a major or minor [or special program or concentration].

Transfer courses can be considered as transfer credit at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Once degree credit has been confirmed by Columbia, students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) to request a review of transfer credit. Please provide course syllabi for each transfer course you wish to apply toward your degree requirements to the DUS. 

Study Abroad Courses

Classes taken abroad through Columbia-led programs (i.e., those administered by Columbia’s Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement and taught by Columbia instructors) are treated as Columbia courses, equivalent to those taken on the Morningside Heights campus. If they are not explicitly listed by the department as fulfilling requirements in the major or minor [or special program or concentration], the DUS will need to confirm that they can be used toward requirements in the major/minor.

Classes taken abroad through other institutions and programs are treated as transfer credit to Columbia, and are subject to the same policies as other transfer courses. There will be a limit on the number of courses taken abroad that can be applied to the major/minor, and they must be approved by the DUS.

Summer Courses

Summer courses at Columbia are offered through the School of Professional Studies. Courses taken in a Summer Term may be used toward requirements for the major/minor only as articulated in department/institute/center guidelines or by permission of the Director(s) of Undergraduate Studies. More general policies about Summer coursework can be found in the Academic Regulations section of this Bulletin.

Undergraduate Research and Senior Thesis 

  Undergraduate Research in Courses 

Building a strong foundation in research questions and methods is integral to advancing one's understanding of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). Through coursework, students have the opportunity to develop critical research skills while exploring key topics in the field. Here are some courses that introduce students to research methods and their significance:

WMST UN1001 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies (or WMST UN3125 Introduction to Sexuality Studies) provides an overview of key concepts, theories, and methodologies in WGSS. Students engage with interdisciplinary approaches to studying gender, sexuality, and identity, laying the groundwork for future research endeavors.

WMST UN3311 Feminist Theory delves into the complexities of feminist thought and theory, equipping students with analytical tools to critically evaluate and conduct research within feminist frameworks. Through readings, discussions, and assignments, students explore various feminist perspectives and methodologies.

 Senior Thesis Coursework and Requirements

The senior thesis is an independent research project conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor. It allows students to delve deeply into a specific area of interest within WGSS, applying the research skills and methodologies acquired throughout their undergraduate studies to produce an original scholarly work.

Senior thesis students must be WGSS majors and should meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) to ensure they fulfill all requirements before graduation. Eligible students typically begin working on their thesis in the fall of their senior year in WMST UN3521 Senior Seminar I. 

For WGSS students awarded honors, participation in WMST UN3522 Senior Seminar II in the spring of their senior year provides an opportunity to further develop their thesis research and writing under faculty guidance. 

Department Honors and Prizes 

    Undergraduate Honors 

Typically, honors in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies will be awarded to students with (1) a grade point average of at least 3.6 or higher in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or related courses, (2) a senior thesis that has been recommended for honors by the professor of the senior seminar and the student’s faculty advisor, and (3) approval by the College.

A limited number of students are granted this standing, and final approval originates from the Dean’s Office. However, the Undergraduate Director, in consultation with the senior seminar professor and the student’s faculty advisor, may propose honors for an extraordinary academic performance, with final approval resting with the College.

    Undergraduate Awards & Prizes

ISSG honors undergraduates with three annual prizes recognizing outstanding intellectual achievement: the Queer Studies Award, the Women’s and Gender Studies Award, and the Feminist to the Core Essay Prize.

The Queer Studies Award, inaugurated in 1994, honors an undergraduate for excellence in research and writing in Queer Studies. Winning submissions demonstrate clarity, originality, ambition, and are informed by or engaged in critical issues in Queer Studies.

The Women’s and Gender Studies Award, inaugurated in 2007, honors an undergraduate for excellence in research and writing in the fields of Women’s and Gender Studies. Winning submissions demonstrate clarity, originality, ambition, and are informed by or engaged in critical issues in Women’s and Gender Studies.

The Feminist to the Core Essay Prize, inaugurated in 2017, is awarded annually to the undergraduate who is judged by the ISSG prize committee to have written the best essay on any topic in Feminist or Queer Studies in one of the following Core courses:

• Literature Humanities

• Contemporary Civilization

• Art Humanities

• Music Humanities

Undergraduates are invited to compete for all three awards in a given year, but may not submit the same essay for consideration for multiple awards. Prize applications can be accessed on the ISSG Undergraduate Awards and Prizes page. 

Additional questions?  Contact us at 212.854.3277 or by email at issg@columbia.edu

Other Important Information

Forms and Related Resources

Major Milestone Form

Minor Milestone Form

Why WGSS?

WGSS Library Resources at Butler

Guidance for Undergraduate Students in the Department

Program Planning for all Students

Students who entered Columbia (as first-year students or as transfer students) in or after Fall 2024 may select from a curriculum of a major or a minor. The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, and role of majors and minors in those requirements, can be found in the Academic Requirements section of the Bulletin dated the academic year when the student matriculated at Columbia and the Bulletin dated the academic year when the student was a sophomore and declared programs of study.

Students who entered Columbia in or before the 2023-2024 academic year may select from a curriculum of majors and minors and concentrations. The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, and the role of majors and minors in those requirements, can be found in the Academic Requirements section of the Bulletin dated the academic year when the student matriculated at Columbia and the Bulletin dated the academic year when the student was a sophomore and declared programs of study.

Course Numbering Structure 

Our course numbering system is designed to indicate the level of specialization and prerequisites associated with each course:

• 1000-level Courses: Introductory, providing foundational knowledge for students new to the subject.

• 2000-level Courses: Intermediate, building upon foundational concepts and delving deeper into specific topics.

• 3000-level Courses: Intermediate to Advanced, typically seminars, most requiring prerequisite coursework or prior knowledge and exploring complex themes and methodologies.

• 4000-level Courses: Advanced undergraduate and first year graduate courses. Typically taken by graduate students; advanced students (juniors and seniors) or those with extensive background.

Guidance for First-Year Students 

Consider enrolling in either WMST UN1001 INTRO-WOMEN ＆ GENDER STUDIES or WMST UN3125 INTRO TO SEXUALITY STUDIES. These courses provide a comprehensive introduction to key concepts and theories in the field.

Check course availability and prerequisites when registering for classes. Be sure to plan your schedule accordingly, keeping introductory courses in mind.

Schedule an appointment with the ISSG Director of Undergraduate Studies for personalized advice tailored to your interests and goals. They can help you plan your academic trajectory and navigate your first year effectively.

Guidance for Transfer Students

Consider starting with either WMST UN1001 INTRO-WOMEN ＆ GENDER STUDIES  or WMST UN3125 INTRO TO SEXUALITY STUDIES. These courses provide a comprehensive introduction to key concepts and theories in the field. Prioritize classes that match your interests and degree requirements.

Transfer Credit Evaluation: After Columbia confirms degree credit, contact the ISSG DUS to review transfer courses and submit syllabi for evaluation.

You may need to complete your degree in a compressed timeline. Work closely with the ISSG DUS to ensure timely graduation.
 

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Major in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Total Number of Courses in Major: 11 

Total Points for Major: 37-43 points

Course List

Code	Title	Points
WMST UN1001	INTRO-WOMEN ＆ GENDER STUDIES
or WMST UN3125	INTRO TO SEXUALITY STUDIES
WMST UN3311	FEMINIST THEORY
WMST UN3514	HIST APPROACHES TO FEM QUESTNS
WMST UN3521	SENIOR SEMINAR I
WMST UN3915	GENDER, SEXUALITY ＆ POWER IN TRANSNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Six approved Elective Courses on women, gender, and/or sexuality in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.*

*

Electives will be selected in coordination with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to best suit students' specific interests and to provide them with the appropriate range of courses. Students are encouraged to take a broad interdisciplinary approach. The Director of Undergraduate Studies will help students fine-tune their academic program in conjunction with ISSG courses, cross-listed courses, and other courses offered at Columbia.

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Minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Number of Courses in Minor: 5

Total Points for Minor: 15-20 points

Course List

Code	Title	Points
WMST UN1001	INTRO-WOMEN ＆ GENDER STUDIES
or WMST UN3125	INTRO TO SEXUALITY STUDIES
Four Elective Courses on women's, gender, and/or sexuality studies selected in consultation with the ISSG Director of Undergraduate Studies (12-16 pts.)*

*

Electives will be selected in coordination with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to best suit students' specific interests and to provide them with the appropriate range of courses. Students are encouraged to take a broad interdisciplinary approach. The Director of Undergraduate Studies will help students fine-tune their academic program in conjunction with ISSG courses, cross-listed courses, and other courses offered at Columbia.

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For students who entered Columbia in or before the 2023-24 academic year 

Concentrations are available to students who entered Columbia in or before the 2023-2024 academic year. The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, and the role of the concentration in those requirements, can be found in the Academic Requirements section of the Bulletin dated the academic year when the student matriculated at Columbia and the Bulletin dated the academic year when the student was a sophomore and declared programs of study.

Concentrations are not available to students who entered Columbia in or after Fall 2024.

Concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies

The same requirements as for the major, with the exception of WMST UN3521 SENIOR SEMINAR I.

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Special Concentration Program for Those Majoring in Another Department

WMST UN1001 INTRO-WOMEN ＆ GENDER STUDIES or WMST UN3125 INTRO TO SEXUALITY STUDIES; plus four additional approved elective courses on gender. 

Fall 2025

Spring 2026