Spring 2027 courses

American Ethnic Studies

AMETH 160: Introduction to American Ethnic Studies

Multiple sections available in person and online

How did the United States become the multiracial, multicultural society we live in today? How have ideas about race shaped that history? In this course, you’ll explore the historical and contemporary experiences of Native American, African American, Mexican/Latina/o American, Asian American, and white communities, and examine how race and ethnicity have been constructed, contested, and transformed over time. We’ll connect the past to the present, asking how earlier struggles over land, labor, migration, and citizenship continue to shape today’s conversations about identity, inequality, and belonging. This class invites you into some of the most challenging — and most meaningful — discussions happening in America right now. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of race relations and stronger tools for navigating and contributing to our diverse democracy. 

K-State 8: Human Diversity within the U.S. & Social Sciences
K-State Core: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Arts & Sciences: U.S. Multicultural Overlay

AMETH 300: Intercultural Competence in Institutions

Dr. Keisha Clark
Online - full semester

Uses exercises and readings to nurture a deep understanding of America's race relations and its diverse histories. Students will develop models for implementing cultural competency policies and practices within varied social institutions. Through engaging activities and discussions, you'll have the chance to break down stereotypes and appreciate diversity. Our program provides a safe space for fruitful conversations and encourages honing communication tactics to navigate cultural differences. Students will engage with local community organizations for their final project! This course is required to complete the Intercultural Competence Certificate offered by AMETH. Fulfills K-State 8 Human Diversity within the U.S. and Historical Perspectives

K-State 8: Human Diversity within the U.S. & Social Sciences
Arts & Sciences: U.S. Multicultural Overlay

AMETH 352: Topic: Myths Legends Land

Dr. Spintz Harrison
M/W/F 10:30-11:20 am

This course is presented from the American Indian perspective regarding tribal myths, legends, and lands. How these three concepts are intertwined with American Indian ways of understanding and life learnings. With Native people everything is connected to the land and treatment of people, plants, animals, and lands which result in the way things are today. 
Popular myths include Sasquatch, Deer Woman, and Little People. Not so familiar are Giants, Witches, Lake Monsters, and other creatures that go bump in the Kansas night. The class concludes with landmark Supreme Court Cases on reservations lands that established significant results such as the basis of a true religion, and NAGPRA standards. 

Arts & Sciences: Global Perspectives Overlay

AMETH 560: Topic: Race and Sports Mascots

Dr. Diane Hinrichs
Online - WINTER INTERSESSION

Explore the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender, spirituality and sexual orientation as it relates to LGBT individuals. Learn about the historical and contemporary issues impacting LGBT communities and how experience with these issues impact LGBT students’ identity development. 

K-State 8: Human Diversity within the U.S. & Social Sciences
Arts & Sciences: U.S. Multicultural Overlay

Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

GWSS 105: Introduction to Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

Multiple sections available in person and online

How do ideas about gender shape your daily life — from the clothes you wear to the opportunities you’re offered? How do race, class, sexuality, nationality, and ability intersect with gender to influence people’s experiences around the world?

In this course, we’ll explore how gender works — not just as a personal identity, but as something that shapes (and is shaped by) families, schools, media, governments, and global systems. Together, we’ll examine how biology and society both play roles in shaping ideas about gender and sexuality. We’ll also investigate where social inequalities come from and how they are maintained — and challenged.

Drawing from multiple disciplines, we’ll engage with feminist, queer, trans, anti-racist, and anti-colonial perspectives to better understand power, identity, and social change. Along the way, you’ll develop tools to think critically about the world around you and your place within it. Whether you’re new to gender studies or looking to deepen your understanding, this course invites you to ask big questions, connect theory to lived experience, and imagine more just futures. 

K-State 8: Human Diversity within the U.S. & Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
K-State Core: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Arts & Sciences: U.S. Multicultural Overlay

GWSS 240: Activism & Social Justice

Dr. Natalie Aikens
Online

In this course, you’ll explore social justice organizing through Indigenous, Queer, Feminist, Ethnic, and American Studies perspectives while analyzing activist movements and legal cases. Together, we’ll unpack how race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, citizenship, global location, and colonialism shape people’s lived experiences of justice and injustice. You’ll learn practical frameworks for evaluating complex social issues and for thinking critically about strategy, accountability, and meaningful change. Topics will include Indigenous sovereignty and reparations, prison labor and divestment campaigns, sexual violence and transnational accountability, and the role of hope and joy in sustaining movements. This course is ideal for students interested in activism, law, public policy, education, or anyone who wants stronger tools for understanding—and participating in—social change. 

K-State Core: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Arts & Sciences: Ethical Reasoning Overlay

GWSS 499: Honors Project

Student's choice of a faculty mentor
Meeting times: arranged between student and faculty

Have a question you want to explore, an issue you care deeply about, or an idea for creating change? Make it your Honors Project.

The Gender Studies Honors Project Independent Study gives you dedicated time to pursue an intersectional social justice project you choose—with one-on-one mentorship from a Gender Studies faculty member whose interests and expertise connect with yours.

This is your opportunity to take something that has sparked your curiosity in a class, shaped your experiences, or inspired you to advocate for change and dig deeper. You’ll work individually with your faculty mentor to develop your idea, connect it to Gender Studies scholarship, and turn it into a meaningful final project.

Your project. Your interests. Your goals.

There is no single way to do a Gender Studies Honors Project. You might:

Research a question about gender, sexuality, race, power, inequality, activism, or social change.
Create a podcast, zine, documentary, digital project, exhibition, or other creative work.
Advocate by developing a community-engaged project, educational resource, campaign, or proposal for change.
Build on an experience from an internship, study abroad program, community organization, or other work that matters to you.
Design something entirely your own in collaboration with your faculty mentor.

Whatever you choose, your project will use the tools of Gender Studies to think intersectionally about the world around you—and what it might take to transform it.

GWSS 810: Key Concepts in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies 

Dr. Melissa Poll
Tu 3:50-6:40 pm

This graduate seminar in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies will explore core concepts, research methods and methodologies, and feminist theories in a variety of foundational GWSS readings. We begin with key feminist texts and culminate in an exploration of eco-critical and critical race feminisms. Students will develop resources to work with their own graduate research. This course fulfills the core requirement for the Graduate Certificate in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies.

Social Transformation Studies

STRAN 550: Practicing Social Justice

Dr. Rachel Levitt
Tu/Th 3:30 - 4:20 pm

Hybrid, full semester: First 8 weeks a combination of in-person and asynchronous online; Second 8 weeks 100% asynchronous online while people do their service-learning hours.

What can we learn from social justice organizers in MHK, throughout the state, and our region? What wisdom, hard truths, and lessons learned do they have to share about how to create lasting change in our communities? This class is an applied and immersive experience where students will get to know and work closely with different local social justice organizations & nonprofits.

K-State 8: Human Diversity within the U.S. & Social Sciences
Arts & Sciences: U.S. Multicultural Overlay

STRAN 600: Pathways to Social Change

Dr. Rachel Levitt
Tu/Th 11:30 am-12:45 pm

This course will prepare students for graduation in a fun and supportive cohort environment where they will learn how to find a meaningful career, live their values, and chart their own paths to success. This is a seminar-style course in which students get to work closely with Dr. Levitt and their peers to design and launch a research-based social transformation project on a topic and in a form of their choosing. It is open to all interested juniors and seniors & is required for STRAN Majors. We recommend taking the course junior year so you can use the materials you development for graduate school applications or job seeking.