Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST), BA

Learning Outcomes

Interdisciplinary approach: To think critically about the intersections of race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, nationality and other hierarchies. Understanding history, culture and society from a range of perspectives, including those emanating from communities whose stories and lives have been marginalized.
Scholarly sophistication: To write sophisticated autobiographical, analytical, and research papers; create artistic work; and express oneself with clarity and confidence.
Developing knowledge: To develop consciousness about multiethnic and gender issues locally, domestically, globally and transnationally. To become well versed in the rapidly increasing scholarship on women and racial/ethnic groups with special focus on transnational studies; literary and artistic achievements; historical, social, political, and economic conditions; families and communities; and people’s strategies for liberation.
Engaged teaching and learning: To excel in classes that allow students to claim an education, that value their contributions, and that challenge and incite students’ intellectual imaginations. To study with a multiracial/ethnic group of faculty.
Community: To develop a sense of belonging to an intellectual field and community that is innovative, multiracial, and inclusive; learning to work with integrity and openness with people from diverse backgrounds. To build bridges across race/ethnicity, class, sexuality, nationality, age and religion and apply this knowledge to other disciplines and communities; to see a link between theory and practice.
Social change: To develop skills to shape our collective future in ways that foster diversity and equity. To gain the preparation needed to earn graduate degrees and/or obtain employment in WEST-related fields and work with people from a range of backgrounds.

Major requirements:

WEST requires four core courses; one course selected from each of the four substantive areas below; and four other WEST upper-level electives (36 credits total). Of the 36 credit hours, 21 must be upper-division courses, and 15 of those upper-division courses must be taken at UCCS. Students may complete a maximum of 54 credit hours in WEST. A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned for any course counted toward the major.

I. 12 credits: Each of the following four courses is required for the major

WEST 2010 - Introduction to Race and Gender
WEST 3300 - Methodologies in Women’s and Ethnic Studies
WEST 3400 - Gender and Race Theory
WEST 4950 - Capstone Senior Seminar
Note: Gender and Race Theory will only be offered in the spring semester. Topics in Methods and Research and the Capstone Senior Seminar, which has an internship component, will only be offered in the fall semester. Students are required to meet with the WEST director during the spring semester prior to enrolling in the course in order to discuss their senior capstone projects.

II. 12 credits: One class from each of the four substantive areas

At least one class must be selected from each of the following four substantive areas (a total of four courses). New classes are constantly being added to the WEST curriculum, so please consult the WEST website (www.uccs.edu/west) for an updated list of courses in each of these areas:

Transnational/Global Studies
Creative and Artistic Expression
Inequalities, Social Movements, and Theory
History and Communities

III. 12 credits: Select any 4 upper-level WEST electives

Electives may be selected from among any WEST offerings or WEST cross-listed courses (including additional courses from the above substantive areas).

Transfer credits: Exit Survey

All WEST students are required to complete an Exit Questionnaire as seniors, which is preceded by a Survey for juniors. A major is 36 (max 54) hours. At least 21 credits must be upper division. Of those 21 upper-division credits, 15 must be taken at UCCS.

Dual Majors

Students interested in a dual major in Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST) and another discipline will need to complete the requirements for both majors, but they may double count up to two courses (6 credits) that are cross-listed between the two disciplines. For more information, please contact the WEST Director.

Certificates

Certificates through Women’s and Ethnic Studies are available in Native American & Indigenous Studies, Global Studies and Latino/a Studies. Please click on the links below to see the requirements.