This general interest course provides an introduction to the study of gender and women’s equality and examines how current social, political and economic realities intersect to structure gender relations.

Topics may include gender, gender as a spectrum, gender-based and diversity analysis, gendered violence, feminism, hegemonic masculinity, missing and murdered Indigenous women, patriarchy, pay equity, rape culture, sexism, sexual assault, sexualities, stereotyping, the third wave women’s movement, trans issues, unpaid work, the wage gap, women in politics and work-life balance.

This entry-level course, which is recommended for both first-and second-year students, explores the study of gender and women’s equality issues with particular focus on women’s activism from the 19th century to the present. It also examines the diverse theoretical approaches within feminist scholarship to outline broad terms of debate, and investigates specific feminist arguments in regard to written and visual representations and explores various socio-political issues.

Topics covered will be viewed through multiple lenses (race, class, gender, sexual orientation) with a primary focus on sexual and reproductive health, paid and unpaid labour, political institutions and the status of women, the wage gap and female poverty, violence and family relations.

This seminar examines some current priority issues for researchers and activists locally and globally, and it explores new theoretical and methodological perspectives for studying the gender-based aspects of society.

The thesis option is open to, and required of, Joint Honours students only; it involves directed reading and research, leading to an Honours thesis. If a student is also completing another program requiring an Honours thesis, 6 credit hours of upper-level or seminar courses may replace GWS 4900.