Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies
Study how gender identity is shaped by and how it in turn affects race, class, ability, sexuality, sexual and gender identity, age, nationality and ethnicity.
Women’s studies is the critical study of gender.
By uncovering the ways in which social and cultural assumptions and structures are shaped by gender, students are encouraged to see how the identity ‘women’ is enmeshed in a matrix that includes race, class, ability, sexuality, sexual and gender identity, age, nationality and ethnicity, for example. Although studying women is its starting point, women’s studies also studies men and the world around us. The program encourages a critical perspective and teaches highly developed research and analytic skills while challenging students personally and politically.
Students can complete their studies online in the following: Concentration, Certificate, and Minor.
Conseiller aux études
Dr. Jennifer Johnson
Téléphone : 705.673.1730 x 601
Courriel : wgsx@thorneloe.ca
Bureau : Thorneloe University, T161 - Secretary: Susan Moores, 705.673.1730 x 100
Interesting Facts:
The critical study of gender has brought about massive changes for both women and men in Canada and globally. In key areas such as political participation, work, healthcare, violence against women, reproductive justice, gender equity in education and media activism, among many other areas. Research in Women’s Studies is often combined with other forms of social change to shift assumptions about what men and women are capable of.
Women’s Studies at Laurentian has historically had an emphasis on flexible study in order to make university education more accessible to those living in Northern Ontario and students living in rural and remote communities.
The program offers degrees on campus in Sudbury as well as by distance education. For example, the Women’s Studies program offers a full three-year BA Concentration by distance education and a Major through on-campus study. Students can combine on-campus learning with distance education options over the course of their degree. Students can also complete a Minor or Certificate in Women’s Studies offered by the Centre for Continuing Education.
Bilingual students receive credit for coursework in French and English or may consider taking an interdisciplinary themed-based minor in Women’s Studies, through the Department of Sociology. The 24-credit program begins with the 6-credit course WOMN 1005 F – Introduction aux études des femmes offered at Laurentian.
Program Highlights:
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Flexible Study Options: Three- or four-year programs lead to a Bachelor of Arts. Students have the flexibility to combine a Major, Concentration or Minor with other degree options. Students in faculties outside of the Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences can obtain a Certificate in Women’s Studies to supplement their studies. Prospective students already working in their field can complete a Certificate in Women’s Studies.
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The Concentration, Minor and Certificate are available by distance education. The Introductory year and some electives are also available in French. Two full time Women’s Studies faculty members teach interdisciplinary courses on a range of topics including work and the global economy, family, education, health, aging, violence, reproduction, popular culture, media and the arts, sexuality and race. Part-time faculty specializing in particular areas offer expertise on campus and in distance education courses.
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The Departments of Biology, Classical Studies, Economics, English, History, Law & Justice, Modern Languages, Music, Indigenous Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Social Work and Sociology also offer courses on gender that count for credit within the Women’s Studies program.
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Research opportunities: Full-time faculty hire research assistants through Laurentian’s work-study program but may also consider applicants with exceptional research skills for additional paid work on specific projects.
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Community Collaboration: Our faculty members collaborate with and connect interested students with organizations such as Voices for Women, Health Sciences North’s sexual assault crisis centre, and annual community planning committees such as Take Back the Night against violence against women with YWCA Sudbury, among others. Faculty members encourage students to apply their knowledge of social justice and gender-based analysis in activism and political involvement and the arts, but especially in their own communities.
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Annual Student Symposium: Women’s Studies students have the opportunity to present their work publicly every spring at the Annual Women’s Studies Student Symposium, an event where students learn how to make academic presentations to diverse audiences. Family and friends are invited.
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Student Government: The Women’s Studies Association is an active student association that develops social and educational events with Women’s Studies students; liaises with women’s and social justice organizations in the City of Greater Sudbury.
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Women’s Centre (on campus): Affiliation with the Women’s Centre allows our students to engage in critical work on gender in the University community. Our students are also competitive for paid staff positions in the Centre while they are students; engage directly in educational and activist work around gender issues and social justice.
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A degree in Women’s Studies combines advanced analytical, oral presentation and writing skills with knowledge of equity and social justice. Students emerge with a strong sense of self and ability to make interventions in a variety of arenas, including relations of power within the family, their workplace, politics and media.
Prospective students who enjoy debate, seeing the world from another perspective and questioning everything through careful research will thrive in Women’s Studies.
Ontario High School Applicants
1 grade 12 English U/M course
5 other grade 12 U/M courses
A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
Note pour les étudiants actuels
Les options de grade ci-dessous seront offertes lors de la prochaine année universitaire et ne le sont pas cette année. Si vous cherchez les cours à suivre afin de compléter les options d'un programme d'une année universitaire antérieure, svp consultez avec un conseiller académique.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Women’s and Gender Studies
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Major in Women’s and Gender Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
a) 27 mandatory credits
WGSX 1005E Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
WGSX 2016E The Production of Knowledge
WGSX 3015E Feminist Theories
6 WGSX credits at the 3000 level
WGSX 4005E Directed Readings and Research Seminar
OR WGSX 4095E Independent Study Project
b) 15 additional credits of WGSX*
c) 78 elective credits#
Notes:
- In order to get a BA, students must include 6 credits in linguistic awareness, 6 credits of Indigenous content, and 6 credits in the Sciences if not part of the other minor or second major. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
- Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Arts (General) in Women’s and Gender Studies
Total 90 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
Although the requirements have been slotted in first year in the description below, students may fulfill them at any time during their studies.
Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
First Year
WGSX 1005E Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see regulations)
6 elective credits in the Sciences
6 elective credits in Indigenous content (starting 2017)
6 elective credits
Upper Years
WGSX 2016E The Production of Knowledge
WGSX 3015E Feminist Theories
6 WGSX credits at the 3000 level
15 additional credits of WGSX*
30 elective credits
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level.
Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
WGSX 1005E Introduction to Women's Studies and Gender Studies
WGSX 2016E The Production of Knowledge
WGSX 3015E Feminist Theories
9 additional credits of WGSX*
Minor in Critical Sexuality Studies
WGSX 2046E Gender, Race and Racism
WGSX 2066E Critical Sexuality Studies
Group A - Sexuality (choose 9 credits)
ANCS 2236E Sex and the Body in the Ancient World
GERO 2257E Gerosex I
PHIL 2126E Philosophy of Sexuality
PHIL 2586F Philosophie de la sexualité
RLST 3142E Gender & Sexual Identities in Judaism, Christianity and Islam
SOCI 3336E Sexuality, Disability and Human Rights
SOCI 3636E Desire, Love, and Work II: The Social Making of Sexuality
WGSX 2296E Gender Issues in Education
WGSX 2506E Rethinking Masculinities
WGSX 3306E Female Sexualities
WGSX 3206E Sexing the Nation
Group B - Body (choose 6 credits)
BIOL 2757E Biological Aspects of Human Sexuality
BIOL 2757F Les aspects biologiques de la sexualité humaine
HIST 4526E The Pre-Industrial Life Cycle
SOCI 2076F Études féministes en sciences humaines
SOCI 2636E Desire, Love, and Work I: the social making of gender
WGSX 2356E Reproduction and Mothering
WGSX 2456E Women and Health
WGSX 3406E Gendered Construction of Violence
Group C - Supplementary (choose 3 credits)
ENGL 3157E Women’s Writing in the 16th and 17th Century
ENGL 3256E Women of Letters in the 18th Century
ENGL 3257E 19th Century Women’s Writing
ENGL 3346E Modern Women’s Writing
ENGL 3347E Contemporary Women’s Writing
GERO 4257E Gerosex II
HIST 3106E History of the Canadian Family
HIST 3166E History of Women in Canada
HIST 3167E Contemporary Women’s History
HIST 3616E History of Women and the Family in the Pre-Industrial Era
HIST 4215E History of Gender Relations in Modern Canada
INDG 2216E Native Women: Perspectives and Issues
RLST 2245E Women, Religion, and Spirituality
RLST 3176E Gender and the Family in Early Christianity
WGSX 2406E Violence Against Women
*At least 6 credits in the minor must be at the 3000-4000 level
Note : Courses cannot be double-counted between groups. Pre-requisites and exclusions from other departments must be observed.
Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
(30 credits)
WGSX 1005E Introduction to Women's Studies and Gender Studies
WGSX 2016E The Production of Knowledge
WGSX 3015E Feminist Theories
15 additional credits of WGSX*
* In addition to WGSX/WOMN courses, the following may count as Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies electives:
ANCS 2236E Sex and the Body in the Ancient World
BESO 3356F La bien-être social, les femmes et la société contemporaine
BIOL 2757E Biological Aspects of Human Sexuality
CLAS 2095E Women in the Ancient World
ENGL 3157E Women’s Writing in the 16th and 17th Centuries
ENGL 3256E Women of Letters in the 18th Century
ENGL 3257E 19th Century Women’s Writing
ENGL 3346E Modern Women’s Writing
ENGL 3347E Contemporary Women’s Writing
ENGL 3507E Writer’s Voice
ENGL/FILM 3836E Women and Film
ESPA 3516N Women in thHispanic World
HIST 3106E History of the Canadian Family
HIST 3166E History of Women in Canada
HIST 3167E Contemporary Women’s History
HIST 3616E History of Women and the Family in the Pre-Industrial Era
HIST 3617E History of Women and the Women’s Movement in the Modern Era
HIST 4215E History of Gender Relations in Modern Canada
HIST 4526E The Pre-Industrial Life-Cycle
INDG 2216E Native Women: Perspectives and Issues
JURI 3506E Legal Regulation of Close Adult Personal Relationships
JURI 3606E Legal Regulation of Parent-Child Relationships
JURI 3706E Rights and Law
MUSC 3056E Women and Music
PHIL 2126E Philosophy of Sexuality
PHIL 3026E Feminist Philosophy
POLI 3536E Gender and Politics
RLST 2245E Women, Religion and Spirituality
RLST 3176E Gender and the Family in Early Christianity
SOCI 2636E Desire, Love and Work I: the Social Making of Gender
SOCI 3636E Desire, Love and Work II: the Social Making of Sexuality
SOCI 4086E Class, Race, Gender and Ethnicity in the Workplace
SOCI 4157E Critical Analysis of Global Health Issues
SWLF 3807E Violence Against Women
THEA 4096E Queer Theatre
Note: Students should verify the prerequisites for any of the above courses in planning their course selection
Liste des membres du corps professoral
Dr Jennifer Johnson - Chair, Assistant Professor
Dr Marg Kechnie - Professor Emerita
Dr Andrea Levan - Professor Emerita
OmiSoore Dryden - Lecturer
Shana Calixte - Sessional Faculty
Janet Clark - Sessional Faculty
Carolyn Djaferis - Sessional Faculty
Elia Eliev - Sessional Faculty
Dr Mandy Koolen - Sessional Faculty
Elizabeth McDougall - Sessional Faculty
Laurie McGauley - Sessional Faculty
Laurel OGorman - Sessional Faculty
David Macdonald - Distance Education Coordinator
Susan Moores - Administrative Secretary