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Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
This master of arts (MA) program offers interdisciplinary study and research leading to a master’s degree. The program provides a strong academic approach, with core courses on feminist theory and methodology and a blend of advanced studies in specific fields, as well as directed readings for more individualized study. Students develop and demonstrate intellectual and analytical skills, in accordance with the particular criteria of the level of study, and in consultation with their senior supervisor and supervisory committee.
間眅埶AV Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the gender, sexuality, and women’s studies graduate program committee that they are prepared academically to undertake graduate work. In addition to University requirements, (see ), the program requires
- a substantial essay which is scholarly in format and approach. The submitted paper may be an undergraduate essay previously prepared, or one specially written for this purpose.
- a statement of gender, sexuality, and women’s studies interests and goals; normally students will be expected to present a definite proposal for their research.
- a short description of previous relevant course work and/or employment. Previous work should include both specialized disciplinary training and broader interdisciplinary work concerned with women.
The specific requirements for application are provided at .
A student will be admitted into a specific option (thesis, two extended essays or course intensive) and so should apply to the options preferred.
Qualified students will be accepted into the MA thesis option only if a suitable senior supervisor is willing to supervise the student. Senior supervisors will be selected from joint gender, sexuality, and women’s studies appointees and continuing faculty on the co-ordinating committee of the department including associate members.
A student can change from one option to another only with the approval of the graduate program committee. A student can transfer to the thesis option only if there is a suitable supervisor available.
A student with incomplete academic preparation for the MA program may be required to complete up to 12 units of additional work in either the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies or another relevant program.
The graduate program committee administers admissions and all matters pertaining to individual students, and consists of all continuing faculty members and/or associate faculty members.
Upon admission, the student will be assigned a two member advisory committee which has the responsibility for ensuring that the student fulfils all degree requirements. For further information concerning requirements, consult the department’s graduate secretary or graduate chair.
Program Requirements
The program can be completed in one of three ways, as outlined below.
Thesis Option
Students who choose this option normally will complete a minimum of 24 units of graduate seminar courses, including
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work,practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.
and at least one of the following while maintaining at least a 3.0 CGPA
An interdisciplinary seminar in methods of research in women's studies. Students will examine theoretical issues in women's studies methodology and study examples of research and criticism from women's studies in history, art/literary criticism, philosophy, psychology and social and natural sciences. Emphasis will be placed on developing a rigorous and creative interdisciplinary approach to problems. Students will apply methods studied in the course to their own areas of concentration.
This course will analyze and compare major feminist social and political theories, including those that have emerged from liberal, socialist and radical feminist traditions. The relationship among theories of sexism and political goals and practices will be discussed.
Students will submit a thesis showing independent research and critical abilities. An MA thesis is expected to be an in-depth empirical or theoretical study. The normal thesis length is 60-120 pages.
The student will be required to complete an oral examination on the thesis at the end of the MA program. See
Extended Essay Option
Students who choose this option normally will complete a minimum of 24 units of graduate seminar courses, including
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work,practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.
and at least one of the following while maintaining at least a 3.0 CGPA
An interdisciplinary seminar in methods of research in women's studies. Students will examine theoretical issues in women's studies methodology and study examples of research and criticism from women's studies in history, art/literary criticism, philosophy, psychology and social and natural sciences. Emphasis will be placed on developing a rigorous and creative interdisciplinary approach to problems. Students will apply methods studied in the course to their own areas of concentration.
This course will analyze and compare major feminist social and political theories, including those that have emerged from liberal, socialist and radical feminist traditions. The relationship among theories of sexism and political goals and practices will be discussed.
Students will submit two extended essays showing independent research and critical abilities. Extended essays are defined as scholarly papers that meet the same standards of excellence as a thesis; they are examined in the same way as a thesis, prepared in the same format, bound, and placed in the library. Normally, the length of each essay is 30-60 pages. The extended essays are expected to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and competence over several areas of study.
The student will be required to complete an oral examination on the extended essays at the end of the MA program. See
Examination Option
Students who choose this option normally will complete a minimum of 30 units of graduate seminar courses, including the following while maintaining at least a 3.0 CGPA.
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work,practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.
This course will analyze and compare major feminist social and political theories, including those that have emerged from liberal, socialist and radical feminist traditions. The relationship among theories of sexism and political goals and practices will be discussed.
In addition, students are also required to write two examinations based upon the subject areas of two of the completed gender, sexuality, and women's studies courses.
Supervisory Committee
Following the student’s enrolment, a supervisory committee will be formed which has responsibility for determining, in consultation with the student, the projected program of study, selecting appropriate research topics, and ensuring that the candidate fulfils all degree requirements. The senior supervisor will be selected from joint appointees in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies faculty and associate faculty members.
Other faculty outside the department who are considered necessary by the student and her/his supervisors may also be added to the committee.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.
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