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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
128 Dole Hall
1525 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-2535
vpcm@k-state.edu

April 26, 2022

Social transformation studies degree program approved

Submitted by College of Arts and Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science programs in American ethnic studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies are now one Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science program in social transformation studies department.

The merged bachelor's degree program follows on the heels of the creation of the social transformation studies department, which represents the merger of the American ethnic studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies departments.

The Kansas Board of Regent’s Council of Chief Academic Officers approved Kansas State University’s request to merge and rename the two academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The approval was finalized by the board on April 22.

The new degree program consists of 30 credit hours, including three required core courses: STRAN 400: Transforming Society; STRAN 550: Practicing Social Justice; and STRAN 600: Pathways to Social Change. The major has two tracks of 15 credits each in American ethnic studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies.

“We are very excited about launching the major in social transformation studies,” said Christie Launius, interim department head of social transformation studies. “Students in the new major will continue to have the opportunity to immerse themselves in either American ethnic studies or gender, women, and sexuality studies, but will also be able to enrich each other’s learning through the shared core, which includes a theory-based course, a praxis-based course and a capstone experience.”

Drawing on the interdisciplinary scholarly and pedagogical traditions of the fields of ethnic studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies, the social transformation studies major offers students a base of knowledge and skills that will enable them to launch and sustain careers devoted to tackling some of the most pressing social issues facing Kansans, and Americans more broadly, including health disparities, gender violence, and racial and economic inequalities.

“It is great to see the work of the new unit result in this merged degree program,” said Scott Tanona, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Students will see a forward-looking, action-based curriculum that builds on the common purpose and connections between American ethnic studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies but also provides the opportunity to pursue more focused study in one of the areas.”

Students will be able to enroll in the social transformation studies major starting in the fall. Students currently majoring in American ethnic studies or gender, women, and sexuality studies will be able to complete their degrees in those programs. More information about the social transformation studies department can be found on its website