The Bachelor of Arts in Multicultural and Gender Studies
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Major Academic Plans page or you can request a plan from your major advisor.
Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units
See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .
Upper-Division Writing Requirement:
Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CHLX 473W | Colonial and Modern Mexican Art (W) | 3.0 | INQ | W | |
This course is also offered as
ARTH 473W. | |||||
ENGL 350W | Science, Technology and the Literature of Cultural Change (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
ENGL 364W | American Ethnic and Regional Literature in Focus (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
MCGS 310W | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues and Identities (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
Prerequisite: MCGS 155 or WMST 170 recommended. | |||||
MCGS 380W | Gender, Race, Sexuality, Science, and Society (W) | 3.0 | SP | W | |
Recommended: MCGS 155, MCGS 310, or WMST 170. | |||||
WMST 300W | Feminist Theory | 3.0 | SP | W | |
Prerequisite: WMST 170. |
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
Grading Requirement:
All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 42 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.
Major Core Requirements: 27 units
2 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCGS 155 | Introduction to Multicultural and Gender Studies | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
WMST 170 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
Genders: 3 units
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMST 234 | Gender and Communication | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
ENGL 261W | Women Writers (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE W | |
MCGS 140 | Learning from Men of Color in Leadership | 3.0 | SP | GE USD | |
MCGS 145 | Learning from Women of Color in Leadership | 3.0 | FA | GE USD | |
WMST 230 | Women in Contemporary Societies | 3.0 | FA | GE | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 230. | |||||
WMST 233 | Women Internationally | 3.0 | FS | GE GC | |
Sexualities: 3 units
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCGS 310W | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues and Identities (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
Prerequisite: MCGS 155 or WMST 170 recommended. | |||||
MCGS 380W | Gender, Race, Sexuality, Science, and Society (W) | 3.0 | SP | W | |
Recommended: MCGS 155, MCGS 310, or WMST 170. | |||||
MCGS 401W | Sexual Minorities Law/Politics (W) | 3.0 | SP | GE USD W | |
This course is also offered as
POLS 401W. | |||||
MCGS 480 | Sex Work, Queer Desire, and Transfeminism | 3.0 | F2 | ||
Prerequisites: MCGS 155, WMST 170. This course is also offered as CHLX 480, WMST 480. | |||||
QTST 320 | Queer and Trans California | 3.0 | FA | ||
QTST 370 | Coloring Queer: Imagining Communities | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Recommended: MCGS 310. | |||||
SOCI 433 | Constructing Sexualities | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Race/Ethnicities: 6 units
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAST 152 | Introduction to the Asian American Experience | 3.0 | SP | GE | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 152. | |||||
AFAM 170 | Introduction to Black/African American Studies | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
AIST 170 | Introduction to American Indian/US Native American Studies | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
CHLX 157 | Introduction to Latinx | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 157. |
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMST 235 | Intercultural Communication Theories and Practice | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
ENGL 264W | American Ethnic and Regional Writers (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
ENGL 364W | American Ethnic and Regional Literature in Focus (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
MCGS 224 | Religion and Ethnic Diversity in America | 3.0 | FA | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
RELS 224. | |||||
MCGS 224W | Religion and Ethnic Diversity in America (W) | 3.0 | FA | GE USD W | |
This course is also offered as
RELS 224W. | |||||
MCGS 327 | The Politics of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3.0 | FS | USD | |
This course is also offered as
POLS 327. | |||||
MCGS 350 | Ethnic and Race Relations | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 350. | |||||
MUSC 291 | American Music: Its History and International Influence | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
PHIL 337W | Philosophy of Race (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE USD W | |
Prerequisite: 45 lower-division units. | |||||
SWRK 200 | Diversity and Social Justice | 3.0 | FS | USD | |
Intersectionalities: 3 units
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CHLX 203 | Latinx Film: Representation, Resistance, and Disruption | 3.0 | FS | ||
This course is also offered as
MADT 203. | |||||
CHLX 410 | Latinx Gender and Sexualities | 3.0 | S1 | ||
Prerequisite: CHLX 157 or MCGS 310W. | |||||
CHLX 420 | Latina & Chicana Power | 3.0 | S2 | ||
Prerequisite: CHLX 157 or WMST 170. | |||||
MCGS 240 | Socioeconomic Class and Food Injustice: Inequities across Class, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender Lines | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 240. | |||||
QTST 320 | Queer and Trans California | 3.0 | FA | ||
QTST 370 | Coloring Queer: Imagining Communities | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Recommended: MCGS 310. | |||||
WMST 339 | Cultural Images of Women | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
Major Culminating Experience: 6 units
2 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCGS 389 | Informed Activism and Internship | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
MCGS 495W | Senior Seminar in Multicultural and Gender Studies (W) | 3.0 | SP | GW W | |
Prerequisite: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement. |
Note: MCGS 389 must be taken for 3 units. This is a letter graded internship.
Major Option Course Requirements: 15 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements. Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.
General Option: 15 units
Ethnic Studies: 9 units
3 courses selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAST 330 | Hmong Cultural Roots & Contemporary Issues | 3.0 | FA | GE | |
This course is also offered as
BLMC 330. | |||||
AAST 498 | Special Topics in AAST | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: Department permission. | |||||
AFAM 211 | Sport, Power, and African American Athletes | 3.0 | INQ | ||
AFAM 320 | Hip Hop Culture | 3.0 | INQ | GE | |
AFAM 355 | The Sociology of African Americans | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: AFAM 170 or SOCI 100. This course is also offered as SOCI 355. | |||||
AFAM 398 | Special Topics | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
AFAM 410 | Contemporary Issues in Black/African American Studies | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisite: AFAM 170. | |||||
AFAM 435 | Black Political Thought | 3.0 | INQ | ||
This course is also offered as
POLS 435. | |||||
AFAM 498 | Special Topics | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
AIST 203 | Visual Sovereignty: American Indian Film | 3.0 | SP | ||
AIST 252 | American Indian Literature | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
ENGL 252. | |||||
AIST 362W | California Indians (W) | 3.0 | INQ | USD W | |
This course is also offered as
ANTH 362W. | |||||
AIST 365 | American Indian Storytelling/Oral Narrative | 3.0 | SP | GE | |
AIST 398 | Special Topics | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: Department permission. | |||||
AIST 410 | Contemporary North American Indian Issues and Identities | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisite: AIST 170. | |||||
AIST 425 | American Indian Sovereignty and U.S. Federal Law | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisite: AIST 170 or instructor permission. | |||||
CHLX 203 | Latinx Film: Representation, Resistance, and Disruption | 3.0 | FS | ||
This course is also offered as
MADT 203. | |||||
CHLX 328 | Latino Politics | 3.0 | SP | ||
This course is also offered as
POLS 328. | |||||
CHLX 358 | Latinx in Contemporary Society and Social Justice | 3.0 | FA | USD | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 358. | |||||
CHLX 389 | Internship in Chicano Studies | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
CHLX 399 | Special Problems | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. | |||||
CHLX 410 | Latinx Gender and Sexualities | 3.0 | S1 | ||
Prerequisite: CHLX 157 or MCGS 310W. | |||||
CHLX 415 | Latinx and Immigration | 3.0 | F2 | GE | |
Prerequisites: CHLX 135, CHLX 157, CHLX 203, or CHLX 358; or instructor permission. | |||||
CHLX 416 | Latinx in the Labor Market | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Prerequisite: CHLX 135, CHLX 157, CHLX 203, or CHLX 358; or instructor permission. | |||||
CHLX 420 | Latina & Chicana Power | 3.0 | S2 | ||
Prerequisite: CHLX 157 or WMST 170. | |||||
CHLX 454 | Chicano Literature | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. This course is also offered as SPAN 454. | |||||
CHLX 458 | Leading Social Change | 3.0 | FA | ||
This course is also offered as
MCGS 458,
WMST 458. | |||||
CHLX 473W | Colonial and Modern Mexican Art (W) | 3.0 | INQ | W | |
This course is also offered as
ARTH 473W. | |||||
CHLX 480 | Sex Work, Queer Desire, and Transfeminism | 3.0 | F2 | ||
Prerequisites: MCGS 155, WMST 170. This course is also offered as MCGS 480, WMST 480. | |||||
CHLX 489 | Chicano Studies Internship | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
CHLX 498 | Special Topics Chicano Studies | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: Department permission. | |||||
MCGS 140 | Learning from Men of Color in Leadership | 3.0 | SP | GE USD | |
MCGS 145 | Learning from Women of Color in Leadership | 3.0 | FA | GE USD | |
MCGS 488 | Prison Industrial Complex | 3.0 | F1 | ||
This course is also offered as
SOCI 488. |
Social Justice: 3 units
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCGS 451B | Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | 3.0 | FS | ||
This course is also offered as
POLS 451B. | |||||
MCGS 458 | Leading Social Change | 3.0 | FA | ||
This course is also offered as
CHLX 458,
WMST 458. | |||||
MCGS 488 | Prison Industrial Complex | 3.0 | F1 | ||
This course is also offered as
SOCI 488. |
Identities and Expressions: 3 units
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECON 340W | Work, Wealth, and Income Distribution (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE W | |
ENGL 356 | Literature, Politics, and Activism | 3.0 | SP | GE | |
ENGL 436 | Cultural Rhetorics | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisite: ENGL 335. | |||||
MCGS 315 | Performance of Identity | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
THEA 315. | |||||
MCGS 330 | Sociology of Gender | 3.0 | INQ | ||
This course is also offered as
SOCI 330. | |||||
POLS 481 | Law and Disadvantaged Persons | 3.0 | INQ | ||
This course is also offered as
SWRK 481. | |||||
RHPM 326W | Recreation Therapy and Inclusion (W) | 3.0 | FS | USD W | |
SOCI 340 | Sociology of Wealth, Class, and Inequality | 3.0 | INQ | ||
SOCI 487 | Sociology of Gangs | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Women's Studies Option: 15 units
Theory: 6 units
2 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
WMST 300W | Feminist Theory | 3.0 | SP | W | |
Prerequisite: WMST 170. | |||||
WMST 430 | Current Issues and Theories in Women's Studies | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Prerequisites: WMST 170 or WMST 300. |
Sexualities: 3 units
Courses listed in multiple requirements can be used only once towards completion of the major.
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CHLX 410 | Latinx Gender and Sexualities | 3.0 | S1 | ||
Prerequisite: CHLX 157 or MCGS 310W. | |||||
MCGS 480 | Sex Work, Queer Desire, and Transfeminism | 3.0 | F2 | ||
Prerequisites: MCGS 155, WMST 170. This course is also offered as CHLX 480, WMST 480. | |||||
QTST 320 | Queer and Trans California | 3.0 | FA | ||
QTST 370 | Coloring Queer: Imagining Communities | 3.0 | F1 | ||
Recommended: MCGS 310. |
Gender-focused: 3 units
Courses listed in multiple requirements can be used only once towards completion of the major.
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CHLD 333W | Children's Gender and Sexuality Development (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE W | |
Prerequisite: Junior standing. | |||||
ENGL 479 | Gender and Language in Cross-Cultural Perspectives | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: ENGL 371 or WMST 300. | |||||
HIST 443 | Gender and Sexuality in Early America | 3.0 | S2 | ||
This course is also offered as
WMST 443. | |||||
MCGS 326W | Gender and Sexuality Perspectives on Disease (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE W | |
This course is also offered as
NURS 326W. | |||||
MCGS 330 | Sociology of Gender | 3.0 | INQ | ||
This course is also offered as
SOCI 330. | |||||
PHIL 357 | Feminist Philosophy | 3.0 | F2 | USD | |
PSYC 345 | Psychology of Women | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
RELS 402 | Religion, Sex, and Gender | 3.0 | SP | ||
SOCI 335 | Women, Work, and Family | 3.0 | SP | GE USD | |
WMST 211 | Gender & Sexuality in Media | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
JOUR 211. | |||||
WMST 230 | Women in Contemporary Societies | 3.0 | FA | GE | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 230. | |||||
WMST 233 | Women Internationally | 3.0 | FS | GE GC | |
WMST 275 | Women and Religion | 3.0 | FS | GE GC | |
This course is also offered as
RELS 275. | |||||
WMST 275W | Women and Religion (W) | 3.0 | FS | GE GC W | |
This course is also offered as
RELS 275W. | |||||
WMST 324W | Women and Politics (W) | 3.0 | FA | GE W | |
This course is also offered as
POLS 324W. | |||||
WMST 335 | Women and Gender in American History | 3.0 | SP | GE USD | |
This course is also offered as
HIST 335. | |||||
WMST 339 | Cultural Images of Women | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
WMST 368 | Women's Health | 3.0 | FS | GE | |
This course is also offered as
PHHA 368. | |||||
WMST 443 | Gender and Sexuality in Early America | 3.0 | S2 | ||
This course is also offered as
HIST 443. |
Women's Studies: 3 units
Courses listed in multiple requirements can be used only once towards completion of the major.
1 course selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
WMST 230 | Women in Contemporary Societies | 3.0 | FA | GE | |
This course is also offered as
SOCI 230. | |||||
WMST 233 | Women Internationally | 3.0 | FS | GE GC | |
WMST 339 | Cultural Images of Women | 3.0 | FS | GE USD | |
WMST 458 | Leading Social Change | 3.0 | FA | ||
This course is also offered as
CHLX 458,
MCGS 458. |
Electives Requirement:
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Advising Requirement:
Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.
Honors in the Major:
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.