Liberal Arts (Code 485-201)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Liberal Education Core		36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS		a minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): Humanities		Two (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine Arts		One (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral Communication		Two (2) learning experiences
One S1 must meet the University Writing Requirement
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): Mathematics		One (1) learning experience
One S2 to meet the University Mathematics Requirement
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): Creativity		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		Two (2) learning experiences
One R1 must satisfy Design for Diversity
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental Issues		One (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): Integration		Two (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning		30 hours

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 485-201)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
The major consists of 36 semester credits, including: 1
Required Core: 18 credits
WGSS 100	Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies	3
WGSS 206	Perspectives in LGBTQ Studies	3
WGSS 300	Introduction to Feminist Theories	3
WGSS 422	Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Advanced Travel Seminar 2	3
or WGSS 335	Transnational Feminism
WGSS 490	Feminist Analysis and Practices: Interdisciplinary Themes	3
WGSS 498	Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Internship	3
The remaining 18 credits are to be selected from WGSS courses, courses cross-listed with WGSS, AIS 444, or SOC 415. 3

¹

 At least 12 credits in the major must be earned from courses at the 300-400 level (required courses may be used to meet this requirement).

²

Only if an International Experience and with the consent of the Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department Chair.

³

 WGSS majors may apply a maximum of six credits to the major from WGSS 395, WGSS 397, and WGSS 498.

Note: Students pursuing the WGSS major and the History minor to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program must earn a minimum of 48 unique credits between the major and the minor. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

• Explain the social workings of power, privilege and oppression across a range of cultures and experiences.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a range of feminist, queer, and critical race theories and methodologies.
• Demonstrate the ability to use transnational feminist frameworks to critically analyze power and systems of oppression in a globalizing world.
• Engage in the community and advocate for social justice.

Sample Degree Plan

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Major, B.A.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)	5
OR
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
OR
WRIT 118	Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1, 2 credits)
Math Competency (LE-S2)		4
SECOND SEMESTER
WGSS Elective		3
Languages 100 Level (LE-S1)		4
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
WGSS 100	Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (prereq for WGSS 300 and 335; LE-K3, LE-R1, DDIV; offered in fall and spring)	3
LE Option		3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1) Natural Sciences		4
Course in Minor/Certificate		3
TOTAL		27-29
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
WGSS 300	Introduction to Feminist Theories (prereq for WGSS 490; offered in the fall and spring)	3
Course in Minor/Certificate		3
SECOND SEMSTER
WGSS Elective		3
Course in Minor/Certificate		3
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
Languages 102 Competency (LE-S1)		4
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (K2) Social Sciences		3
WGSS (300-400) Elective		3
WGSS (300-400) Elective		3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1) Natural Sciences		3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities		3
TOTAL		31
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
WGSS 335	Transnational Feminism (Global Feminism (LE-R1, LE-R2), offered in the fall and spring)	3
Course in Minor/Certificate (300-400)		3
SECOND SEMESTER
WGSS (300-400) Elective		3
Course in Minor/Certificate (300-400)		3
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
WGSS (300-400) Elective		3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (K2) Social Sciences		3
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (R3) Civic and Environmental Issues		3
Course in Minor/Certificate		3
WGSS (300-400) Elective		3
LE Option		3
TOTAL		30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
WGSS 490	Feminist Analysis and Practices: Interdisciplinary Themes (Only offered in the fall)	3
Course in Minor/Certificate		3
SECOND SEMESTER
WGSS 498	Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Internship (only offered in the spring)	1-3
Course in Minor/Certificate		3
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (R2) Global Perspectives		3
LE Option (300-400)		3
Elective (300-400)		3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (K4) Fine Arts		3
LE Option: Integration (I1)		3
Elective (300-400)		3
TOTAL		30
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

NOTES

1. At least 12 credits in the major must be earned at the 300-400 level (required courses may count towards this requirement).
2. Students must complete 120 credits in order to complete their degree.
3. Students must complete 39 upper division credits.
4. All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Required: Students in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program complete an internship in their final academic year.

Optional: Students can study abroad in India. These 3-week faculty-led programs are offered during the Winterim session and may be substituted for WGSS 335.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance