Interdisciplinary Programs, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Gender and Diversity Studies
Gender is political. It's cultural. It's complex. Whether we recognize it or not, we experience, reinforce and disrupt social expectations about masculinity, femininity, sex, sexuality, and sexual identities every day. A host of other identity categories (age, race, ability and disability, size, ethnicity, and class, among others) also contribute to how we experience "gender."
SRU offers a concentration in Gender and Diversity Studies in the department of Nonprofit Management, Empowerment and Diversity Studies and a minor in Gender Studies that explores these intersections and analyzes the messy but also fascinating concepts of gender and diversity within a social justice context. Both the major and minor are interdisciplinary, pulling from courses and departments from across the university, and thus both complement and enrich every major and minor. One question we're often asked is whether or not men can or should adopt the major or the minor. Absolutely!
The major and minor enhance every field, from Psychology to Education to Management and Marketing to Biology. Knowing more about how to navigate and better understand diversity in a respectful way not only contributes to future professional and graduate study success but helps make our world a kinder, more inclusive and equitable place.
PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES
LO 1 – Knowledge (UO 3 & 4)
Students will be able to identify, explain, and apply major social science theories, concepts, foundations, and methodologies to analyze social institutions, processes, and values that shape social life and social relations
LO 2- Critical Thinking (UO 2)
Students will be able to analyze and critically evaluate explanations of human behavior, social phenomena, and social processes informed by social science theories, empirical evidence, and arguments to construct well-reasoned explanations and evidence-based conclusions about social issues and social structures.
LO 3 – Community Inclusion (UO 9)
Students will be able to analyze and evaluate how systems of power, privilege, and inequality shape social experiences and outcomes across diverse populations, and apply social science concepts and evidence to propose informed responses or solutions
LO 4 – Effective communication (UO 1)
Students will be able to present and defend evidence-based arguments by integrating scholarly sources, appropriate methodologies, and disciplinary conventions from the social sciences in written and oral formats
LO 5 – Civic Engagement (UO 7)
Students will be able to demonstrate informed, ethical, and reciprocal civic engagement by applying social science knowledge and skills to community or public issues and reflecting on the impacts of their participation on themselves and the communities involved.
RELATED LINKS
Interdisciplinary Programs - Gender and Diversity Studies, BS Program Page
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 39 | |
| Electives | 36 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major Requirements
- 21 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 21 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above (Adviser approved courses)
- Courses used in this major may not be used to satisfy ROCK Studies 2, a minor, or another major’s requirements.
- AP, Credit by Exam, CLEP, and institutional credit by exam may count towards the degree to a maximum of 45 credits. Pass/Fail and non-credit courses will not be counted in the major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| GNDR 115 | Introduction to Gender Studies 1 | 3 |
| POLI 444 | Social Science Capstone | 3 |
| Interpersonal Skills and Civic Responsibility | ||
| Select six credits from the following and by advisement: | 6 | |
| African-American Literature 1 | ||
| Native American Literature 1 | ||
| Asian Literature 1 | ||
| Introduction to the Study of Masculinities 1 | ||
| Women's Health Issues 1 | ||
| Gender Roles and Society 1 | ||
| World Religions 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Gender and Sex 1 | ||
| Gay and Lesbian Politics 1 | ||
| Human Sexual Behavior 1 | ||
Approved Course | ||
| Analytical, Quantitative & Critical Thinking Skills | ||
| Select six credits from the following and by advisement: | 6 | |
| Feminist Perspectives in the Disciplines 1 | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
DEPT XXX | Departmental Approved Course | |
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Emphasis Area | ||
| Primary Emphasis – Gender or Diversity | ||
| Select 24 credits in the following categories (by advisement): | 24 | |
Foundations | ||
Culture and Society | ||
History | ||
Current Issues | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA.
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Co-curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- International study programs (short-term, semester)
- High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
- Student-faculty creative projects
- Internships
- Experiential Learning (Practice experience outside the classroom)
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS - BS (5198)
Concentration in Gender and Diversity Studies (GNDR)
This program is effective as of Summer 2026
Revised 05.13.2026
UCC 03.31.2026