Off-Campus Study and Gender, Women’s, & Sexuality Studies
Off-Campus Study (OCS) is a great opportunity for all Gender, Women’s, & Sexuality Studies (GWSS) students. Spending a semester studying off campus is something every Grinnell student should consider, and if you are pursuing a GWSS major you can easily combine your OCS experience with your GWSS four-year plan. The following information is also available as a printable PDF file.
Things to Consider When Choosing an OCS Program:
Language: Do you speak a language other than English? You can immerse yourself in that language while studying abroad, which can be an invaluable experience. However, not all programs will have GWSS-related courses, while many GWSS-related courses can be found on English-language programs in other countries.
Location: Is there a particular part of the world where you would like to live for a semester? There are Grinnell-sponsored OCS programs all over the world for you to choose from. However, many of the programs with the strongest GWSS curricula are in northern Europe.
Curriculum and Diversifying Your Coursework: Do you want the majority of your OCS courses to focus on GWSS? Or do you want only one or two courses in GWSS? Are there GWSS topics that aren’t currently offered at Grinnell that you would be interested in taking on an OCS program?
Internship and Research Opportunities: Do you want the opportunity to complete an internship or an advanced research project in a GWSS-related field while on an OCS program?
GWSS-related OCS programs can be divided into 3 types:
Primary Focus in GWSS: These are programs where the majority of your coursework is focused on gender, women’s, and sexuality studies, as well as feminist and queer theories. Such programs include: IES-Amsterdam and the Antioch College Comparative Women’s and Gender Studies in Europe program, which travels to multiple sites in Europe.
Significant Course Opportunities in GWSS: These are programs that always offer at least one course in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies—and sometimes more. Such programs include: DIS-Copenhagen and The Sweden Program-Stockholm.
Additional Programs: Many other OCS programs include opportunities for GWSS-related coursework, internships, and/or research. In many cases, the courses may be offered through the university where the program is located. Such programs include, but not are limited to: IES-Melbourne, IES-Rabat, IES-Cape Town, and SITA (South India Term Abroad Program). Both Grinnell-in-Washington and Grinnell-in-London offer internships that may be located in GWSS-related organizations.
How Do OCS Credits Count Toward the GWSS Major?
GWSS-related courses taken while on an OCS program may count toward the GWSS major; courses are approved after the student returns from OCS. If you are taking a course that you think should count toward your GWSS major, you should be sure to keep a copy of the syllabus and, if possible, send an electronic copy to your GWSS advisor to keep in your file. Upon returning to Grinnell, you will work with your advisor to have the course approved for GWSS credit. The GWSS program has some OCS syllabi for courses that have been approved in the past; please contact your advisor if you are interested in learning more about a particular program’s courses.
OCS courses can be used to meet the general credit requirements and to fulfill the four thematic rubrics of the major curriculum. However, OCS courses cannot be used to fulfill either of the major’s two required 300-level courses, both of which must be completed at Grinnell.
For additional information about OCS programs in GWSS, please contact Professor Astrid Henry. General information about OCS programs at Grinnell can be found via the OCS website and by contacting Richard Bright or Jonathan Larson, Office Campus Study Office, Macy House 108.
