Gender and Diversity Studies
Program Details
Gender and diversity studies (GDST) is an interdisciplinary major that examines gender and diversity in their broadest, most inclusive sense. As a student in the GDST major, you’ll learn frameworks for analyzing the nature of diversity including socioeconomic, political, psychological and cultural experiences between and among individuals and groups defined by gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, age, religious beliefs and physical/mental abilities. You'll also conduct research alongside expert faculty and explore strategies to combat racism, bias and other forms of prejudice.
Courses in the gender and diversity studies major range in topics and disciplines, so one semester you may be taking a history course on the Harlem Renaissance, a political science course on gender and politics and a sociology course on women in American society. The curriculum easily accommodates the addition of a second major or minor.
Concentrations
Women and Gender, Race and Ethnicity
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Diversity Studies
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Gender and Diversity Studies major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- First Year Seminar OR Theology 111 ............ 3cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 100 Introduction to Ethics ............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- second language ............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: GOA Co-Curriculum Program I ............ 0cr.
Spring
- Theology 111 OR First Year Seminar ............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 101 English Composition ............ 3cr.
- Mathematical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- second language II ............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 200 Philosophical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: GOA Co-Curriculum Program II ............ 0cr.
Fall
- Intro to Gender and Diversity Studies ............ 3cr.
- Diversity in American Context course ............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perpectives ............ 3cr.
- Writing Intensive Elective ............ 3cr.
- E/RS elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Diversity in a Global Context ............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives ............ 3cr.
- Creative Perpectives ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Fall
- Gender and Diversity Studies Intersectionality Course ............ 3cr.
- Gender and Diversity Studies Elective ............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 205 Literature and Moral Imagination ............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Gender and Diversity Studies Theory Course ............ 3cr.
- Gender and Diversity Studies Elective ............ 3cr.
- Soc. Sci core Elective ............ 3cr.
- Oral Communications Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Fall
- Gender and Diversity Studies elective ............ 3cr.
- Gender and Diversity Studies elective ............ 3cr.
- Gender and diversity Studies 498 - Gender and Diversity Studies Capstone ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Gender and Diversity Studies elective ............ 3cr.
- Gender and Diversity Studies elective ............ 3cr.
- Gender and diversity Studies 498 - Gender and Diversity Studies Capstone ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Sample courses within the gender and diversity studies major curriculum:
- Intro to Gender and Diversity Studies (SOCW 206) - This course is designed to help students develop a critical framework for analyzing and exploring the nature of social diversity, including privilege and oppression, with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, age, religion, and mental/physical abilities. It provides tools for ethical analysis of questions relating to the individual and collective experience of disenfranchisement as well as resiliency in society. Students will be introduced to interdisciplinary scholarship that examines oppression and privilege through the lens of society’s social institutions.
- Race, Class, Gender & Media (COMM 323) - This course critically examines the role of the media in enabling, facilitating, or challenging the social constructions of race, class and gender in our society. Students will acquire analytical skills to explore race, class and gender issues in media organizations and understand diverse audiences’ responses to media representations. They will also learn about some different theories and approaches to doing research on race, class, gender and the mass media and develop the ability to speak and write honestly and sensitively about race and gender.
- Black Theology (THEO 322) - This course offers an in-depth exploration of the Black theological perspective, delving into its roots and evolution within the context of societal and religious structures. Through examining the history and development of the Black Church, students will gain insights into how it emerged as a response to racial prejudice within both religious institutions and broader society.
- Gender & Diversity in Film (ENGL 359) - This course is an examination of representations of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals in both Hollywood and independent films. With a focus on applying contemporary critical theories of film, students will analyze how these diverse groups are portrayed on screen and explore the implications of such representations.
Student Clubs
- Citizens of the World - Students in this club meet and organize events that showcase the many different cultures, languages and customs represented at Xavier.
- LGBTQ Alliance Group - This club provides a safe space for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to meet, learn, teach & discuss the challenges surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.
- ProudXU- ProudXU is a group of LGBTQ+ and ally employees that meet to discuss various issues relating to the LGBTQ+ community.
- Xavier Inclusion Club- The Xavier Inclusion Club provides a platform for students to have open conversations, share their stories and teach good allyship. On top of everything, we strive to build bridges and create new friendships between different groups of people.
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Pursue Your Interests in an Adaptive Curriculum
The Gender and Diversity Studies curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature, so you'll get to pursue your interests while meeting degree requirements. The GDST director will work one-on-one with you to help you select courses tailored to your career goals.
Gain Valuable Experience Through Independent Research
As part of the curriculum, you'll invest in a year-long thesis project under the direction of a faculty thesis advisor. This opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member on a unique research project will prepare you for a variety of career and graduate school options.
Experience a Transformative Education
Jesuit education is deeply rooted in the promotion of social justice and solidarity with marginalized communities. At Xavier, you'll explore historical and contemporary issues through the lens of social justice, with a focus on addressing injustices and advocating for equitable solutions.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Gender and Diversity Studies Major at Xavier University
The Gender and Diversity major at Xavier University coincides with the educational mission of Xavier University: to educate students about issues of peace and justice and to develop awareness of the variety of human cultural experiences. Graduates with concentrations in gender and diversity studies regularly enter graduate and professional schools. Others work in business, government, health, social services, schools and museums. Be a part of inspiring change and examine privilege, peace, justice, identity and awareness in the modern world.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."