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.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 99 percent of our students, including those in the gender and diversity studies studies major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
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
Xavier is known for providing an education that's both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the Gender and Diversity Studies major at Xavier:
Feminist Theory (ENGL 366) - This course considers some of the major tenets of and issues in contemporary feminist theories and their applications to literary texts.
Gender and Society (SOCI 262) - Women in Social, economic, and structural (bureaucratic) settings. An examination of changing roles and status.
Major Black Writers of World (ENGL 344) - Study of black authors from around the world with emphasis on African, Caribbean, and British Commonwealth writers.
Sex and Violence In Media (COMM 324) - Explores reasons behind the prevalence of sexual and violent media content and with the impact of this content. Course topics will include psychological reasons why people consume such content, legal and market forces that encourage the creation of sexual and violent content, and the theoretical individual and Social effects of consuming this type of content.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, including those in the GDST major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022).
Student Clubs
The following clubs are popular choices for students in the Gender and Diversity Studies major.
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.
Take the Next Step
Cincinnati: A City of Opportunity
Cincinnati, Ohio, is ranked the #1 Best City for College Graduates (smartasset.com) and the #15 Best Place to Start a Career (WalletHub). Students take advantage of for-credit internships and employment opportunities at multiple fortune 500 companies, private companies, nonprofit organizations and other businesses.
Flexible Curriculums for Gender and Diversity Studies Majors
The GDST curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature, allowing students to meet degree requirements through courses that interest them. The GDST director works with each major to tailor their courses to the student's career goals.
Gender and Diversity Studies Program Faculty Mentorship
All GDST majors 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 students well for a variety of career and graduate school options.
Faculty Spotlight: ShaDawn Battle, Ph.D- Gender and Diversity Studies
Meet ShaDawn Battle, assistant professor of gender and diversity studies in Xavier University's College of Arts and Sciences.
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."