Women's Studies challenges students to analyze the social, political, psychological, religious, and economic factors which have shaped women's lives over time and across cultures, and encourages them to examine the ways gender has affected human life. It also addresses the interplay of race, ethnicity, class, and sexual preference in determining social roles and cultural values.

Given the broad-ranging concerns to be explored, Montana State University's minor in Women's Studies is interdisciplinary. Students learn the fundamentals of women's studies scholarship, apply principles of feminist theory to their major, and either complete an in-depth research project as the capstone of their program or complete additional Women's Studies courses.

Students minoring in Women’s Studies must complete the following four components, totaling 21 credits or seven three-credit courses. Click HERE for a printable WORKSHEET.

1) Humanities 201H: Introduction to Feminist Theories & Methodologies (3 credits)
This course provides the framework for the Women’s Studies Minor at Montana State University. It offers a grounding in basic feminist theory and methodology; an examination of the various schools of thought which have addressed sex inequity; a review of the strategies of cultural criticism which incorporate gender as a category of analysis; and an intro-duction to major directions in feminist scholarship. This course fulfills three credits of the Humanities Inquiry core curriculum requirement.

2) Humanities 301: Integrative Seminar in Women’s Studies (3 credits)
The integrative seminar builds on the theoretical background students develop in the introductory and foundation courses. The course focus varies from year to year and has addressed such topics as Renaissance women, women in the media, and ecofeminism. Students in the seminar develop a seminar paper involving inter- disciplinary research on a women’s studies topic. This course fulfills 3 credits of Humanities Research core requirement.

3) Foundation Courses/Senior Capstone Project (15 credits)
Select your minor option (with or without capstone). If you select the capstone option, choose 3 of the following. If you select no capstone, choose 5 of the following: These courses focus on Women’s Studies topics and feminist theory.

A. Senior Capstone Project Option (6 credits)
Students minoring in Women’s Studies have the option to design a senior project that reflects their academic interests. The senior project consists of one course in any discipline (3 credits) and an independent study course that culminates in a senior paper (3 credits). The course in the discipline provides the foundation for the independent study and senior paper. For example, a student might take the course Political Movements and Change (POLS334) in preparation for independent study on the role of women in social change movements. Students must submit a capstone project proposal and a signed minor advising worksheet to the minor committee for approval the semester before the proposed work is to be completed. Every spring semester, students present their capstone projects as a public reception.

B. Foundation Course Option
Students who choose Option B may select 5 additional foundation courses which focus on Women’s Studies topics and feminist theory. See approved list of courses or petition for a substitution course approved by the Women’s Studies Committee.

Students planning to minor in Women’s Studies select a faculty advisor who helps them plan their program in Women’s Studies. Students consult their advisor and other faculty in proposing their senior capstone project. Students declare their minor at least two semesters before they plan to graduate.

The minor is administered by the Women’s Studies Minor Committee in the College of Letters and Science. Students have both academic and social opportunities to meet with Women’s Studies faculty and other students in the minor. The Women’s Center, room 15 Hamilton Hall, provides a lending library, referral service, and extensive programming enhancing Women’s Studies.

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