The Global Education Office and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program have compiled the following information for WGSS majors to assist in planning for a semester of study away. Students should let their Academic Advisor know as soon as possible about their plan to study away so they can help fit this experience into the student’s graduation plan.
Academic Planning Prior to Going Away
To be eligible to study away, students in the WGSS major must successfully complete the following courses at Allegheny prior to studying away: It is recommended that students in the WGSS major study away anytime in the sophomore year or the fall of junior year. Since the required junior seminar (WGSS*580) is only offered in the spring term on campus, juniors cannot study away in the spring term of that year. Students with a WGSS minor can study away in the junior year in the fall or spring terms since they are allowed to take the junior seminar in the spring term of their senior year. For students who are enter the WGSS program later in their Allegheny experience, especially if they have a WGSS major or double major, it might be necessary to study away in a WGSS study abroad program (listed below) to complete the WGSS degree. The programs suggested below will allow you to take more WGSS credit in one term than what is possible at Allegheny, so studying away will help you complete the degree on-time. Allegheny’s graduation requirements state that a student’s final 16 semester credit hours before graduation must be taken in academic residence on campus, therefore study away during the second semester senior year is not allowed without the permission of the Dean’s Exemption Committee. Since the junior seminar for WGSS majors is only offered on campus in the spring term, students cannot study away in the spring of their junior year. The following courses in the WGSS major cannot be taken during a study-away program: Successfully Complete the Following Courses Before Studying Away
When should I study away?
Plan Around Your Junior Seminar/Senior Project
Courses that Must Be Taken on Campus
How Studying Away Counts Towards the Major
Students in the WGSS major are encouraged to study away! Courses from study away programs can transfer back to count for a variety of WGSS requirements. Students should speak with the WGSS Chair or their Academic Advisor to review courses and to learn how they will transfer to Allegheny.
There is no limit on the number of credits from study away that can transfer back towards the WGSS major.
It is recommended that students begin the WGSS major or minor on campus before studying away.
Suggested Programs for Majors in the WGSS Program
In the Gender, Sexuality, Race, and Equality in Scandinavia core course in Stockholm, students learn how Sweden is the most gender equal country in the world and paid parental leave for all parents, a high number of women in leadership positions, progressive sex education, and equal rights for LGBTQIA+ persons are among the hallmarks of all Scandinavian societies. However, Sweden also has the most gender-divided workplace in the world and gender equal policies do not automatically lead to gender equal behaviors. With a comparative look to neighboring countries in Europe, this course explores how concepts of gender, body, sexuality, and race intersect in current debates about changing family structures, children’s rights, and new ethical dilemmas in Scandinavia. Students attend a shorter study tour in Eastern Norway and have a week-long study tour in Copenhagen and Berlin. Students can take additional courses related to WGSS or choose from 200+ over courses on offer at DIS in a wide range of disciplines. Courses are conducted in English.The following is a highlighted list of sponsored study away programs that have approved coursework for the WGSS major:
Program Name
Distinguishing Features
In the Prostitution and the Sex Trade in Europe core course in Copenhagen, students gain insight into historical, cultural, legal, and political aspects of prostitution and examine current and future consequences of the varying national approaches across Europe. Students attend shorter study tours in southern Sweden or Denmark and have a week-long study tour in Amsterdam. Students can take additional courses related to WGSS or choose from 200+ over courses on offer at DIS in a wide range of disciplines. Courses are conducted in English.