College of Letters and Science Faculty Document No. 695
November 4, 2004

Recommendation of the Women's Studies Program and the L&S Academic Program and Curriculum Committee to Establish a Minor in Women's Studies and to Discontinue the Undergraduate Certificate in Women's Studies

Recommendation:
That the Faculty of the College of Letters and Science establish, effective Fall 2004, a minor in women's studies, as outlined below, and discontinue the undergraduate Certificate in Women's Studies at that time.

Rationale:
For many years, the Women's Studies Program has offered a major in women's studies through the L&S Committee Interdisciplinary Major and an undergraduate certificate, equivalent to a minor, in women's studies. The Program now has approval to implement a new independent major in women's studies effective Fall, 2004. Given the availability of a formal major, it makes sense to create a minor that replaces the undergraduate certificate. Interest in the minor will continue to attract at least the current level of interest in the undergraduate certificate. The increased visibility that the formal status of the new major provides may contribute an increased interest in the minor.

Minor in Women's Studies

Students who minor in Women's Studies are required to take 18 credits drawn from Women's Studies and cross-listed courses, at least 9 credits of which must be completed in residence at UWM in upper-division courses numbered 300 or above. Students will be required to complete six credits in Humanities courses and six credits in Social Sciences courses approved for Women's Studies credit. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA in all minor courses attempted, including transfer work. The following courses are required for the minor:

• Wmns 200 - Introduction to Women's Studies: A Social Science Perspective, 3 credits
  or Wmns 201 - Introduction to Women's Studies: A Humanities Perspective, 3 credits
• Wmns 401 - Global Feminisms, 3 credits
• Wmns 410 - Theoretical Traditions in Feminism, 3 credits