Women’s and Gender Studies Major

Athabasca University’s Women’s and Gender Studies program is designed to develop or expand your knowledge of the established field of women’s studies and the emerging field of gender studies. You will have the opportunity to engage with a range of feminist theories, concepts, history, methodologies, research, and activism and discover how they inform the diverse lives and experiences of women across cultures.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:

• Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies (optional)
• University Certificate in Counselling Women

For specific degree requirements view each program page.

Program Requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 4-year BA with Major:

1. A minimum of 45 credits in designated WGST major courses including 30 senior (300 or 400) level credits applicable to the major (a minimum of 12, 400-level credits). The 9, 400-level credits taken in the required core can be used to fulfill a portion of these 12, 400-level credits.
2. 27 credits in the following required core courses:

   INST 358	Aboriginal Women in Canada	(3)
   WGST 200	Feminist Research and Women’s Lives	(3)
   WGST 266	Thinking From Women’s Lives: An Introduction to Women’s Studies	(3)
   WGST 303	Issues in Women's Health	(3)
   WGST 320	Gendered Bodies and Society	(3)
   WGST/SOCI 345	Women, Gender and Work in Canada	(3)
   WGST 401	Contemporary Feminist Theory	(3)
   WGST/HSRV 421	Advocacy From the Margins	(3)
   WGST 422	Violence Against Women: A Global Perspective	(3)

Electives (18 credits selected from the following)

WGST	All WGST Courses
ANTH 378	Human Sexualities	(3)
ANTH 384	The Family in World Perspective	(3)
ENGL 307	Women in Literature	(3)
LGST 390	Women, Equality and the Law	(3)
POEC 395	Political Economy of Development: People, Processes, and Policies	(3)
POLI 350	Women in Canada Politics	(3)
PSYC 345	The Psychology of Women	(3)
PSYC 347	The Introduction to Feminist Counselling	(3)
SOCI 378/CMNS 385	Rebel with a Cause: Social Movements in History and Popular Culture	(3)
SOCI 435	Theories of Social Change	(3)

Recommendation

Before enrolling in this program, students should contact Advising Services.