Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the UO is a dynamic and collegial interdisciplinary department comprised of award-winning researchers, teachers, and public scholars. The department offers classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels that examine a broad range of feminist inquires, from queer studies, women of color and decolonial feminisms, migration and citizenship, social activism, archival studies, creative writing, environmental and climate justice, and other emergent subjects and methods. Our students learn how to think and read critically, to express themselves in writing and other creative forms, and to engage in professional practice through internships, setting them up for future study or work in fields such as social work, education, healthcare, non-profit management, library and museum studies. 

 

The Department is home to the Sally Miller Gearhart Lecture Series advancing lesbian history and culture, promoting dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, supporting diversity, and empowering lesbian and non-binary voices in higher education.

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Events

Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium—Laws and the Food Sovereignty of Alaska Native Peoples
Jan28
Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium—Laws and the Food Sovereignty of Alaska Native Peoples Jan 28 Many Nations Longhouse
Outliers and Outlaws—Documentary Screening and Q&A
Feb2
Outliers and Outlaws—Documentary Screening and Q&A Feb 2 Straub Hall
Patty Krawec: "Surviving Together"
Feb4
Patty Krawec: "Surviving Together" Feb 4 Knight Library
Candace Bond-Theriault: “Queering Reproductive Justice: An Invitation to Create Our Collective Future”
Mar4
Candace Bond-Theriault: “Queering Reproductive Justice: An Invitation to Create Our Collective Future” Mar 4 Knight Library
Health Grad & Career Expo 2025
Apr23
Health Grad & Career Expo 2025 Apr 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Deepa Iyer: "Reimagining Ecosystems for Social Change"
May14
Deepa Iyer: "Reimagining Ecosystems for Social Change" May 14 Knight Library

All Department events »

Isabel Millán stands in front of a poster of book covers holding her book

Isabel Millán's award-winning book: Coloring Into Existence: Queer of Color Worldmaking in Children’s Literature

Coloring into Existence received several International Latino Book Awards (ILBA) including a Gold Medal for “Best LGBTQ+ Themed Book," a Silver Medal for “The Raul Yzaguirre Best Political/Current Affairs Book," and Isabel was also honored with a “Rising Star” Award for Nonfiction.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

A critical understanding of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies is an asset to careers in many fields, including non-profit management, social work, education, museum studies, library sciences, and publishing, among others. The WGSS major/minor and the QSTS minor also prepare students for entering interdisciplinary graduate programs that emphasize the study of women, gender, and sexuality, as well as traditional academic disciplines. A degree in WGSS provides students with a foundation for employment in:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Research institutes
  • Colleges and universities
  • Healthcare practices and organizations
  • Federal, state, and local government agencies
  • Youth and family agencies
  • Libraries and archives
  • Political action committees
  • Public interest groups
  • Human rights organizations
Cover of LGBT+ magazine

Feminist and Queer Zine Launch

What do feminist and queer zines look like? What is the collective power of zines, and how can they respond to our current political climate? Participants discussed these questions and more at the official launch party of the Gender Collective's inaugural issue, "Future Building: Hope and Praxis."

Our Degree Programs

Students in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies can pursue a major or a minor. The department also offers a minor in queer studies and a graduate certificate in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

Retired NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence speaking to a class

Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty are experts who conduct intersectional research within their fields and work closely with students to provide individualized guidance. Core and affiliated faculty in the department come from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, anthropology, sociology, geography, philosophy, law, political science, public policy, environmental studies, ethnic studies, religious studies, architecture and fine arts, music, romance and Germanic languages.

Students marching during the Take Back the Night rally

Get Real-world Experience

Our students extend their learning beyond the classroom through numerous experiential learning opportunities. Immerse yourself in another culture while studying abroad, develop vital job skills in an internship, or conduct original research on a topic that sparks your interest.

Scholarships and Funding

Students who need help funding their studies can apply for scholarships from the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Our academic advisors can help students understand their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising
Support for Graduate Students

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies News and CAS Events

WOMEN'S, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES - Isabel Millán, an assistant professor at the University of Oregon, has worked to explore how children’s literature can be used as a tool to introduce different identities to kids at a young age. Millán has recently received numerous award for her 2023 publication Coloring into Existence: Queer of Color Worldmaking in Children’s Literature.
ROMANCE LANGUAGES, WOMEN'S AND GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES - Oregon Ducks come from all over the world, including the Basque Country, a small region carved out of northern Spain on the border with France. Meet Nagore Sedano Neveira and learn about her life's journey that brought her to University of Oregon.
DISABILITY STUDIES, JUDAIC STUDIES, WOMEN'S, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES - Students who come to CAS seeking a degree often find something even greater: themselves. Discover how an identity-focused major or minor can lead to a fulfilling career.

All news »


 

Career Tour-Bioscience & Beyond!
Jan24
Career Tour-Bioscience & Beyond! Jan 24 Ford Alumni Center
Winter Economics Social
Jan24
Winter Economics Social Jan 24 Gerlinger Hall
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar - Third Year Talks
Jan24
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar - Third Year Talks Jan 24 Willamette Hall
How to: Resume and Cover Letter tips (Workshop)
Jan27
How to: Resume and Cover Letter tips (Workshop) Jan 27 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Physical Chemistry Seminar - On-Demand Control of Single-Molecule Chemistry through Vibrational Characterization and Manipulation
Jan27
Physical Chemistry Seminar - On-Demand Control of Single-Molecule Chemistry through Vibrational Characterization and Manipulation Jan 27 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Oregon and International Trivia Game with Prizes
Jan27
Oregon and International Trivia Game with Prizes Jan 27 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
International @ Work - Resource Fair
Jan27
International @ Work - Resource Fair Jan 27 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Jan28
Department of History Coffee Hour Jan 28 McKenzie Hall
Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium—Laws and the Food Sovereignty of Alaska Native Peoples
Jan28
Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium—Laws and the Food Sovereignty of Alaska Native Peoples Jan 28 Many Nations Longhouse
Intro to GitHub Portfolios for Job Seekers (Career Readiness Workshop)
Jan29
Intro to GitHub Portfolios for Job Seekers (Career Readiness Workshop) Jan 29 Knight Library

All CAS events »