Minor in Gender Studies

UA Little Rock offers a minor in gender studies designed to help students understand and define gender roles. It delves into how roles are impacted by social, economic, political, legal, and other changes in society. Ideal for students seeking a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, these courses are a good foundation for graduate studies in the social sciences, humanities, law, business, or social services.

Gender studies courses explore the interrelationships among gender, class, and race. The program is a good fit for students planning to pursue careers involving diverse populations, from women and children to LGBTQ+ communities.

This dynamic program does not have a fixed curriculum. The course offerings for 2024 are listed below. For courses taught in 2022 and 2023, please visit our previous course offerings page.

Fall 2024 Gender Studies Courses

In the list below, the courses designated as the Gender Studies Capstone class for Fall 2024 are highlighted and marked with an *. If you are in your final semester of gender studies coursework, you must get your capstone course pre-approved before the semester starts and preferably before you register for the course. Email Dr. Barrio for more information or to get approved to take the capstone.

Course Description Class Meets Instructor
Intro to Gender Studies
GNST 2300-01
Introductory course TR 1:40pm-2:55pm Martin, Londie
Women in Changing Society
SOCI 3333- 991/9U1
Analysis of the socialization of women for their ascribed roles, changes in contemporary society Online Avra, Shannon
Family Sociology
SOCI 3346-991/9U1
Family dynamics for self, community, and society Online Avra, Shannon
Family Violence
SOCI 3350-991/992/9U1/9U2
Abuse, neglect, and conflict within the family Online Briscoe, David
African American Literature II
ENGL 3327-01
Analysis of works by African American writers from the Harlem Renaissance to the present. TR 12:15pm-1:30pm Barrio-Vilar, Laura

Summer 2024 Gender Studies Courses


In the list below, the courses designated as the Gender Studies Capstone class for Summer 2024 are highlighted and marked with an *. If you are in your final semester of gender studies coursework, you must get your capstone course pre-approved before the semester starts and preferably before you register for the course. Email Dr. Barrio for more information or to get approved to take the capstone.

Course Description Class Meets Instructor
Domestic Violence CRJU 3305-994 / 9U4 A comprehensive overview of crimes within the family: intimate partner violence, family violence in a global context, child abuse, elder abuse, adolescent perpetrators, and the police and courts response to domestic violence. Online, First Half Term Raptopoulos, Kilby
Gender Communication
ACOM 3315-991 / 9U1
An examination of gender constructs as they influence verbal and nonverbal interaction. Topics include the ways communication in families, schools, media, and society creates and perpetuates gender roles. Online, First Half Term Thompson, Carol

Spring 2024 Gender Studies Courses

In the list below, the courses designated as the Gender Studies Capstone class for Spring 2024 are highlighted and marked with an *. If you are in your final semester of gender studies coursework, you must get your capstone course pre-approved before the semester starts and preferably before you register for the course. Email Dr. Barrio for more information or to get approved to take the capstone.

Course Description Class Meets Instructor
Intro to Gender Studies
GNST 2300- 991/9U1
Introductory course Online Martin, Londie
Women in a Changing Society
SOCI 3333- 991/9U1
Analysis of the socialization of women for their ascribed roles, changes in contemporary society Online Avra, Shannon
Family Sociology
SOCI 3346-01
Family dynamics for self, community, and society TR 12:15pm-1:30pm Briscoe, David
Family Violence
SOCI 3350-991/9U1
Abuse, neglect, and conflict within the family Online Briscoe, David
Black Protest Literature*
ENGL 4370-01
Exploration of major themes found in protest literature written by Black authors: systemic racism, poverty, sexual violence, nationalism, genocide, etc. TR 9:25am-10:40am Barrio-Vilar, Laura
Toni Morrison*
ENGL 4380-01
Analysis of main works by Toni Morrison, with an emphasis on race and gender relations, family, friendship, socio-economic and cultural survival, memory, violence, and slavery, to name a few. TR 10:50am-12:05pm Barrio-Vilar, Laura
Gender-Bending in Britain ENGL 4370-02 Take a cultural studies approach to the topic of gender (as well as sexuality) based on both real-life and fictional gender-bending characters on the stage and in the streets of England in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Plays, pamphlets, court proceedings, diaries, visual materials, memoirs and biographies (sometimes fictionalized) will serve as our primary readings. TR 1:40pm-2:55pm Hunter, Angela
Women in the Middle East*
HIST 4390-993 / 5390- 993
Overview of the history of gender and women in the Middle East and North Africa from 1750 until the present. Online Yeaw, Katrina
Domestic Violence CRJU 3305-971 A comprehensive overview of crimes within the family: intimate partner violence, family violence in a global context, child abuse, elder abuse, adolescent perpetrators, and the police and courts response to domestic violence. Online Raptopoulos, Kilby
Domestic Violence CRJU 3305-H01 A comprehensive overview of crimes within the family: intimate partner violence, family violence in a global context, child abuse, elder abuse, adolescent perpetrators, and the police and courts response to domestic violence. TR 12:15pm-1:30pm, Hybrid class (meets 25% or more in-person, with at least 25% of class held online) Smith, Molly
Sex Crimes CRJU 3315-972 Overview of sex offenders and their motivations for offending, as well as the legislation addressing sex crimes and treatment options for this specific offending group. This course will also address victims of sex crimes and sex crimes targeting children. Online Raptopoulos, Kilby
Topics in Nonfiction Writing: Memoir and Gender* RHET 4347-01 / 5347-01 Learn about contemporary understandings of gender, and apply that learning to a close study of memoir as a powerful form of personal storytelling. We will read diverse memoirs, learn about the tools of creative nonfiction, and practice writing our own short-form memoirs through the lens of gender studies. MW 1:40pm–2:55pm Martin, Londie
Groundbreaking Women SPAN 4361-990 and 9S1 This seminar examines representations about and by women’s experiences in Latin American literature and culture. We analyze the strategies (and identities) that Latin American women have employed to gain agency, and influence, in private and public spaces within specific historical periods. We will also examine how women have contributed to the creation of local and national identities. First 9 weeks; section 9S1 meets R 6:00pm-8:40pm Delgado-Solórzano, Edma

Earning the Gender Studies Minor

Along with GNST courses, this 18-hour gender studies minor allows you to explore a diverse range of courses in disciplines across the university. Each semester brings fresh opportunities with additional qualifying courses that count toward the gender studies minor. Want to do an internship in gender studies or take a course beyond what’s listed on the website? Just contact our gender studies coordinator for permission.

To earn your gender studies minor or concentration in gender studies, follow these steps:

  • Complete GNST2300: Introduction to Gender Studies.
  • Next, complete 12 hours of approved upper-level electives.
  • In your final semester, complete a gender studies capstone.

Gender Studies Capstone

Ideally taken during the semester just before graduation, this senior-level capstone course is a dynamic journey. You must get prior approval from the gender studies coordinator in order to take the capstone course. You will work closely with the gender studies coordinator and the course instructor to create a capstone contract that will stipulate what  you need to do.

From seminars to hands-on projects, the options are endless. You will complete a final project that demonstrates that you meet the learning objectives of the minor.

The capstone course offerings for upcoming semester(s) will be announced during the advising period for that term.

For more information, please contact Gender Studies Coordinator Dr. Laura Barrio,

Minor Curriculum