FAQs
WGS 310 Research Seminar, 3 hrs, 3 credits.
This class offers students the opportunity to pursue an independent, original research project with an available faculty member in any of the disciplines represented in the Women and Gender Studies curriculum at Queens College. Here is a list of common questions about the class. If you have other questions that are not addressed here, then please contact the program director of the program assistant.
Is WGS 310 a required course for WGS majors and WGS minors?
Yes, 310 is one of the four core courses for WGS majors and minors.
Is there a preferred time when I should take WGS 310?
Not really. However, since this course allows a student to build upon and explore a previously studied topic in detail and in a rich, focused way, the director recommends that students take 310 after they have successfully completed previous WGS core courses and or a few electives.
I see “TBA” listed for the day/time for WGS 310. Why is that?
WGS 310 does not meet on a specific day or at a specific time. That is no doubt different from your other WGS courses. When you register for WGS 310, you and your chosen faculty member will decide, together, on what kind of meeting schedule you will have. Once that schedule is established, you and the professor will meet accordingly. This will most likely be a one-on-one meeting in your professor’s office, lab, or some other campus location.
How do I go about selecting a research topic or finding a professor with whom to work?
There have no doubt been times in your WGS courses and electives when you have really been intrigued about a particular topic or question. For example, in “Theories of Feminism,” perhaps you were really curious about the concept of “intersectionality” but maybe you did not have enough time to explore it in an in-depth way. Maybe you wrote a brief analytical paper about that concept. Once you register for 310, you would have the chance to explore, in much greater detail, that particular concept. Maybe you are interested in the ways media representations shape our perceptions of beauty and in previous courses you were introduced to that topic. In 310, you would have the chance to develop, in consultation with the professor, an entire course structured on that research topic. Think of WGS 310 as your customized course on a topic that you, first and foremost, are passionate about.
Finding a Professor. For 310, you should think about professors with whom you have connected and would like to work with more. First, the professor must be a full-time faculty member. That means they may not be a part-time or “adjunct” instructor. If you are unsure about whether or not your professor is full time, just ask them. Next, ask, preferably in person, if that professor is available to supervise your research project for WGS 310. Tell them what 310 is about. If they have questions, you can always suggest they contact the WGS director.
What do I do in WGS 310?
Again, that work is to be determined between you and the professor. You may start by describing the kind of questions you are interested in and ask for their feedback. The usual pattern is to begin with a schedule of meetings, a loose syllabus, and a student-generated working bibliography that represents the scholarly approaches to your chosen topic. You should establish, in the first week or two of classes, the faculty member with whom you will work and the scope of the work to be done. The exact nature of the project is to be determined between you and the professor, however, the usual product of the course is a typical, long-form, scholarly research paper on a WGS-related topic.
It’s mid-semester and I still don’t know what to do in WGS 310!
Do not let this happen. Plan in advance.
The semester before you plan to register for WGS 310, contact a professor and ensure that they will be (1) willing and (2) available to supervise your research project. No later than the second week of classes, you should have met with your professor and should have a plan for your research.
When are the due dates, etc. for work done in WGS 310?
Due dates, assignments, projects, exams, readings, evaluation (grades) — all the usual components of a “regular” class will need to be determined between you and your professor. The director does not intervene in this process.