Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.