Majors in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies analyze how gender and sexuality shape personal experiences and interlocking systems of power. By examining how gender and sexuality intersect with race, class, legal status and ability, students cultivate a deeper understanding of individual, social and political inequalities as well as movements for change. They ask urgent, critical questions and break down conventional academic assumptions, developing innovative methods for examining and addressing current issues in diverse local and global contexts. Students apply their learning through a senior capstone project, and may deepen their engagement through a Departmental Honors program.
Curriculum Update (Effective Autumn 2025)
As of Autumn 2025, GWSS’s major requirements have changed. These changes offer greater flexibility and better reflect the diverse expertise of our teaching faculty.
To distinguish between the two versions of the major, we are using the following terminology:
PURPLE Curriculum
- For students who declared the GWSS major in Summer 2025 or earlier. These students will remain on the Purple curriculum by default. Students who wish to switch to the Gold Curriculum may do so by contacting the GWSS advisor at gwssadvs@uw.edu.
GOLD Curriculum
- For students who declared the GWSS major in Autumn 2025 or later. These students will automatically follow the new Gold curriculum.
To review the requirements for each curriculum, please visit the Purple Major Requirements Page and the Gold Major Requirements Page.
Summary of Key Changes
- Total credits for the major reduced from 58 to 55
- Sexuality, Queer and Trans Studies requirement added (any 5-credit course from the approved list on the Undergraduate Resources page)
- Focus Point requirement removed
- Elective credits increased from 20 to 30:
- 20 elective credits at the 200, 300 or 400 level
- 10 elective credits at the 400 level
- Internship requirement removed