Why study Gender and women's studies at Dalhousie?

Gender has operated as a fundamental category in the organization of knowledge, social systems, forms of representation, and modes of production and consumption. You'll investigate the ways that gender intersects with other variables such as race, class, and cultural difference. An alternative to the traditional curriculum, Gender and Women’s Studies provides you with the opportunity to examine history, social structures, the sciences, language, literature, and culture from critical and illuminating perspectives.

What will I learn?

Gender and women’s studies is a dynamic and rapidly expanding interdisciplinary area of study. With every course you take in Gender and Women’s studies, you’ll gain a better understanding of women’s roles in history. You’ll also see how aspects of gender, race, class, sex, age, sexual orientation, and health contribute to complex social relationships—and all too frequently, to injustice and discrimination.

Sample courses:

• Gender and Diversity
• Making Gender: Women and Men, Sex and Gender in Pre-Modern Europe
• Human Sexuality

Undergraduate students can participate in research opportunities. For example, you may arrange with a particular professor to do a directed reading course specifically designed for an area of common interest between you and the professor. You’ll have the freedom to do your own research, but with the guided expertise of a professor who can suggest readings or directions to take.

Careers and future study:

With a degree in Gender and Women’s Studies, and the ability to think critically and solve problems collaboratively, you’ll be ready to contribute to society by challenging some of its most deeply embedded and regressive ideas, and by prompting change within your chosen career. Here are just a few of the careers paths you might take after graduating from the Gender and Women’s Studies program (some may require further studies):

• social worker or counsellor
• researcher
• program coordinator

Future studies could include programs at the graduate level in interdisciplinary, cultural or educational studies. Or a professional degree in social work, law or the health professions.

Honours options also available:

• 120-Credit Hour BA, Double Major in Gender & Women's Studies
• 120-Credit Hour BA, Combined Honours in Gender & Women's Studies