Women's and Gender Studies

This course will offer an overview of women’s and gender studies from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students will study the development of feminist movements and will examine how concepts of race, class, sexuality and ability intersect in shaping colonialism, sexual and reproductive health, violence, family relations, paid and unpaid labour, political systems and poverty. The course will consider the relationship between the local and the global through discussion of such topics as popular culture, consumerism and environmentalism. Six credits. Offered 2023-2024.

This course focuses on the ways that all bodies are sexualized and gendered in Western philosophical thought, biomedicine and science. Topics include Western binaries (man/woman, form/matter, mind/body), the sociocultural processes through which bodies are sexualized, the biological/medical sciences and objectivity, a critique of the dual sex model from the perspective of transfeminist theory and bodily transformations and normalizations (including cosmetic surgery, monstrosity and disability, and the feminist debate about female genital surgeries). Prerequisite: WMGS 100 or third- or fourth-year status with permission of instructor. Three Credits. Offered 2022-2023.

This course analyzes the marriage and family life from a sociological perspective. It provides an overview of social changes over the past century, such as the falling birth rate, the rise in cohabitation and the legalization of same-sex marriage. Topics include marriage and fertility trends, the rise of intensive parenting and the dual earner family, the normalization of separation and divorce, the social cost of family violence, and how technology is influencing parenting. Credit will be granted for only one of WMGS 221 or WMGS 210. Cross-listed as SOCI 221. Three credits.

This course will introduce a range of topics within the broad field of gender and popular culture as well as how to study and critique genres of popular culture. Beginning with the questions, “What is cultural studies?” and “Why is it important to study popular culture?” we move on to study a range of pop culture media, including music, television, film, video games and graphic novels/memoirs through this methodological and theoretical lens. Prerequisite: WMGS 100 or third- or fourth-year status with permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered 2023-2024.

The topic for 2018-2019 is Women in Muslim Film. This course examines how films produced in Muslim-majority countries function as a vehicle for social change, challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of accepted norms regarding the rights of women. The course consists of relevant readings and critical viewing of films written and directed by women in Muslim-majority countries or films with a strong female role written and directed by men. Countries include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Canada, and possibly more. Cross-listed as RELS 298. Three credits.

The topic in 2022-2023 is Cultures of Girlhood. This course uses an intersectional feminist perspective to explore not only the cultural construction of girlhood and its representations, but the ongoing cultural practices of girls themselves. We explore the various ways that “girls” have always had a unique relationship to producing, consuming, and participating in culture. We will interrogate and resist the universalization of the girlish subject, integrating readings that ask students to reframe “girl” in relation to race, class, sexuality, age, and nation. Three credits.

This course introduces students to health and social care challenges, and opportunities two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( 2SLBGTQ+) populations face across the life span. Students will work with theoretical concepts, current research, social determinants of health, legal/biomedical histories, alongside stories of 2SLBGTQ+ people/communities. Students will develop and propose strategies specific to improving health and wellness while strengthening their knowledge to address health disparities and improve this population’s health and well-being. Cross-listed as NURS 302. Prerequisite WMGS 100. Three credits.

This course examines various directions feminists have taken in studying women’s experiences and the construction of gender. Students will learn how these theoretical approaches have influenced feminist research and critical practice. The course will include early feminist thought as well as contemporary feminist theory. Cross-listed as SOCI 304. Prerequisite: WMGS 100. Three credits. Offered 2023-2024.

How can we make the world a more gender equal and socially just place? This course examines the relationships between gender, systems of inequality, and public policy. The course focuses on understanding contemporary approaches to creating gender-responsive public policy and theoretical tools for analyzing public policy. The course also explores how to apply this knowledge to contemporary social issues. Credit will be granted for only one of WMGS 304 and PSCI 398/WMGS 399 (2021-2022). Cross-listed as PGOV 305. Three credits.

A critical review of the science of masculinity and recent theoretical developments on the social construction of men’s lives and masculinities. Topics include male gender role socialization; the role social institutions play in shaping masculinities; masculinity politics, men’s movement, and social change. Cross-listed as SOCI 311. Three credits.

A critical examination of the roles of the singing performer from the later 19th century to present through the development and changes of different musical styles and cultural context. Singer/audience relationships are explored as well as voal lineage and the musical contributions of key artists. The course also surveys key singers over the last 100 years, through examining ideas fame, artistry, cultural/political significance race, and gender. Cross-listed as MUSI 312. Three credits.

This course will examine a number of ways to understand what gender and development mean, and the ways in which the two intersect. For instance, the course will explore such questions as, how can thinking intersectionally change the practices of development and of international institutions of development?; and, how local and gendered actors respond to development policies? This course shows the significance of feminist movements to development and a gender-sensitive turn in development policies. Sub-themes in the course include women and work, gender and health, empowerment, environment, sustainable development, and others. Credits will be granted for only one of DEVS 315 and DEVS 391(ST: Gender and Development). Cross-listed as DEVS 315. Prerequisite: WMGS 100 or DEVS 201 and 202. Three credits. Offered 2023-2024.

Students learn about federal and provincial policies that influence family formation (e.g., marriage, cohabitation, fertility, adoption), family care work (parental leave, family leave, childcare, domestic worker programs, elder care), family dissolution (separation, divorce), and family violence. Attention is given to how Canadian family laws and policies reflect and/or shape the cultural and structural aspects of gender, sexuality, Indigenous status, race and ethnicity, disability, and socio-economic status. Credit will be granted for only one of WMGS 319 or SOCI/ WMGS 395(2019-2022). Cross-listed as SOCI 319. Prerequisites: SOCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course examines how past and present feminist anthropologists have used and problematized categories of difference and identity, such as, gender, class, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, religion and nationality as they pursue anthropological research. Focusing primarily on socio-cultural anthropological research, but also addressing work by linguistic and biological (physical) anthropologists and archaeologists, the course will highlight the theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions of feminist anthropologists to anthropology and to women and gender studies. Credit will be granted for only one of ANTH 323, ANTH 324 or WMGS 324. Cross-listed as ANTH 323. Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or ANTH 111/112 or WMGS 100 or WMGS 200 or permission of the instructor. Three credits.

How do the struggles feminists engage in inform literary works? An introduction to diverse feminist debates within their historical, cultural and political contexts, this course explores the relationships between particular feminisms and the literary texts that exemplify or extend them. The particular focus on a feminist struggle and corresponding body of literary works will vary, depending on the instructor. Cross-listed as ENGL 329. Three credits.

Explores the role of women and men in sport/physical activity/recreation from a historical, philosophical, and sociocultural perspective. This course covers embodiment, objectification, equity, racism, homophobia, politics of difference and identity. Cross-listed as HKIN 332. Three credits.

This class explores late medieval conceptions of the physical body, which were always essential to identity in the Middle Ages. Medieval discussions of the practice of reading, clothing and fashion and even spiritual union with God, often involved debates and metaphors based upon the physical body. Through an exploration of primary and secondary texts along with seminar discussions, the class will explore the interconnectedness of late medieval ideas of corporeality, identity, spirituality and sexuality. Cross-listed as HIST 332. Three credits.

This course will review theories and research regarding gender in psychological development, social roles, and personality. Topics to be covered will include the history of research in gender; issues to consider in conducting gender research; gender role development and the socialization of gender; gender as a social variable in education and the workplace. Cross-listed as PSYC 364. Prerequisite: 6 credits of PSYC at the 200 level. Three credits.

An introduction to the study of women and politics, this course has three parts: feminist political thought and the women’s movement; political participation and representation; and public policy. Topics include feminist political thought in the Western political tradition; the evolution and politics of the women’s movement; political parties and legislatures; women and work; women and the welfare state. Cross-listed as PSCI 345. Prerequisite: PSCI 101, 102 (100) or WMGS 100; 6 credits at the 200-level (211, 212 recommended). Three credits.

Recentering women in the history of art, this course critically examines the structures that excluded them and the narratives that erased them. It looks at how gender has shaped the discipline of art history and at texts that envision more inclusive methods. Students will draw on their experiments with looking techniques to write about women’s contributions to various visual and material cultures, from the discovery of butterfly metamorphosis to the secret “invention” of abstraction. Cross-listed as ART 354. Three credits.

Examines the relationship between injustice and health outcomes nationally and globally. Core social justice ideas are analyzed, including the cycle of oppression, distinctions between equality and equity, and achievement of human rights as an ethical imperative. Throughout the course, social, ecological, and structural determinants of health are explored with numerous case examples. Modern and historical contexts are explored in key justice related areas: corporatization of health care; policy-created poverty; worldwide water crisis; links between planetary health and human health; and global conflict as a key driver of injustice. Learning includes analysis of selected award-winning films. Cross-listed as NURS 364. Three credits.

Reviews the recent growth of women managers in today’s organizational world. Students examine gender roles in organizations and identify some of the barriers women experience in reaching the top. The course explores the systemic discrimination facing women, and presents potential management models for women and men. Cross-listed as BSAD 367. Prerequisite: BSAD 261. Three credits.

This course examines major issues in the history of gender and sexuality in the new imperialism. Themes to be covered include imperial families, race, gender and professionalism, gender, sexuality and citizenship, and women in imperialism and global movements. Cross-listed as HIST 360. Three credits.

This course provides a broad introduction to research and theory in human sexuality. It includes examination of fundamental topics such as the nature of human sexuality and contemporary issues. Specific topics include historical perspective, theories of sexuality, sex research, sexual anatomy, sexual variation, sexual response, gender, sexual dysfunction and sex therapy. Cross-listed as PSYC 378. Prerequisites: 6 credits of PSYC at the 200 level. Three credits.

The topic for 2023-2024 is Love, Sex & Gender in the Medieval Gaelic World. This course explores how love, sex, and gender were expressed, felt, and engendered in the medieval Gaelic world. We will focus on early medieval Gaelic texts (in translation), dating from around 700-1225 AD, and the ways in which various loves (romantic, familial, divine) are portrayed within them. Topics will include saga, poetry, hagiography, medical history, lovesickness, love in absence, the development of romantic love as a literary topic in Europe, feminist and queer studies, mental and emotional ill-health, lamentation, and the Otherworld. Cross-listed with CELT 398. Three credits.

This course presents “authentic power” as understood in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Here, “authentic power” is that which creates, supports, maintains and sustains life. It is understood as an expression of inter-dependent masculine and feminine “principles” both within and outside the individual self. That which seeks to manipulate, control, dominate, oppress or defend territory is here understood to be based in fear: it is an expression of cowardice and, as such, merits our compassion. Cross-listed as RELS 315. Three credits. Offered 2023-2024.

The topic for 2023-2024 is Critical Femininities. Femininity has been a highly contested terrain for feminists: as an expression, femininity has been dismissed as trivial and, as an ideology, it has been critiqued for actively contributing to the subordination of women. Despite this, femininity is embodied and valued by many, including feminists and queer folks. Using foundational concepts in WMGS, students will critically examine femininity as distinct from the category of “woman,” its subordination to masculinity, and why it matters. Prerequisite: WMGS 100 or 205. Three credits.

Human sexuality is explored from two main perspectives: first, the teachings and practices of various religious traditions; and second, contemporary developments in sexual and reproductive health and rights. Among the issues to be considered are sexuality and gender roles, contraception and abortion, marriage and family. Cross-listed as RELS 401. Prerequisite: any 100-level RELS or WMGS course. Three credits.

A required course for students enrolled in the BA Honours with Subsidiary program. Students enrolled in this course will write a thesis about a question that is of interest to them and grounded in relevant scholarly research related to their chosen topic. Six credits.