A group of students laying on the campus lawn and laughing.

Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Gain a deeper understanding of the human experience by exploring the connections between our own identities and how we relate to each other.

Why Study Women, Gender and Sexuality?

As a women, gender and sexuality studies minor at USD, you will gain a foundation in the study of gender and sexuality, allowing you to think deeply and creatively about gender and sexuality across societies and human history.


Degrees & Offerings

Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Minor
  Vermillion Main Campus

The Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program is an 18-hour interdisciplinary minor. Courses explore the intersection of gender and other sources of identity in the context of family, work, law and politics, art and the history of ideas. The minor may accompany many majors at USD or any major in the College of Arts & Sciences. It can be earned as part of a B.A. or B.S. degree.

Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Contact

Admissions

A Multidisciplinary Program

The women, gender and sexuality studies program's aim is to help students develop the tools to think critically and creatively about human identity across societies and human history.

Take courses from faculty in numerous disciplines that explore issues of gender and other sources of identity in relation to family and community, work, law, politics, art and literature. Our program prepares graduates to critically think in any situation, positioning them for professional success in a number of fields, such as social work, public policy, law, education, politics, public health, non-profit management and others.

The women, gender and sexuality studies minor may accompany many undergraduate majors at the University of South Dakota, including all majors in the College of Arts & Sciences.

  • Instill in students the ability to critically engage with topics of gender, identity and social constructs of power.
  • Provide students with survey of methods of addressing a variety of issues from different disciplines.
  • Sponsor and promote scholarly and creative events connected with topics in women, gender and sexuality studies.
Students in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor may be interested in student-run organizations such as Spectrum: Gender & Sexuality Alliance, a group that aims to provide education and a social outlet for the LGBTQIA community and their allies. The group meets weekly and is a welcoming group for people of all genders and sexualities. 

Departments & Facilities

Our faculty bring perspectives from a variety of disciplines to the topic of women, gender and sexuality studies.  
Historic Photo Placed Over Current East Hall Building

History

At the University of South Dakota, our Department of History houses numerous disciplines that exist at the intersection of curiosity, research, writing, storytelling and the human experience. Find the answers to your questions about people, events, institutions and values with the guidance and support of our exceptional faculty.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sara Lampert

Sara Lampert

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member April Carrillo

April Carrillo

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Edwin Filotas

Edwin Filotas

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Hannah Haksgaard

Hannah Haksgaard

Professor

Specialty

Family Law; Rural Lawyers; Property
Bio Image for Faculty Member Julia Hellwege

Julia Hellwege

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Saige Kelmelis

Saige Kelmelis

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Carol Leibiger

Carol Leibiger

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Molly Rozum

Molly Rozum

Assoc Prof, R.Nelson Distg Prof
Bio Image for Faculty Member Leah Seurer

Leah Seurer

Chair-Communication Studies
Bio Image for Faculty Member Ann Tweedy

Ann Tweedy

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Mandie Weinandt

Mandie Weinandt

Director of CTL

Specialty

Statistics,Economics/ Managerial Economics
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Conference 2025

The 2025 WGSS Conference

The University of South Dakota Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Conference is an opportunity for people across a myriad of genders, sexualities, and identities to explore the practice of empowerment and advocacy as well as analyze and engage the structures of power that shape our world. 

Learn More

Take the Next Step