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Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Joint Major
This program explores the political dimensions and context of women’s experience, and the impact of gender, sexuality, and feminist theory on the practice and study of politics. Consult advisors in both departments.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Political Science
Students complete a total of 15 units, including one of
A comprehensive introduction to the study of politics and government for both political science majors and students specializing in other disciplines. The course will explore the major concepts, methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process. POL 101W is the Writing certified version of POL 100 and students cannot receive credit for both courses. Breadth-Social Sciences.
A comprehensive introduction to the study of politics and government for both political science majors and students specializing in other disciplines. Explores the major concepts, methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process. This course is identical to POL 100 and students may not take both courses for credit. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
and one of
Provides an introduction to the research enterprise in international studies with a particular focus on quantitative methods. Prerequisite: IS 101 and 12 units. Students who have taken POL 201 may not take IS 240 for further credit. Quantitative.
An introduction to quantitative research techniques in political science. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department. Students with credit for IS 240 may not take POL 201 for further credit. Quantitative.
Descriptive and inferential statistics aimed at students in the social sciences. Scales of measurement. Descriptive statistics. Measures of association. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA 255 before this course. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH 376 or, BUEC 232 (formerly 332), may not subsequently receive credit for this course. Recommended: a research methods course such as SA 255, CRIM 120, POL 213 or equivalent is recommended prior to taking STAT 203. Quantitative. Prerequisite: REQ-Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA255 before this crs. Students with credit for STAT101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH376 or, BUEC232 (formerly 332), may not receive further credit. Recommended: SA255, CRIM120, POL213 or equiv. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT270 STAT301. Quantitative.
and an additional nine lower division units.
* recommended
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
Students complete a total of 15 units, including two of
An introduction to issues in the study of sex, sexual identity, and sexual culture. Focused on contemporary theories of sexuality as well as representations in fiction, film and popular media from diverse cultural contexts. Students who have completed GDST 200 may not complete this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
An interdisciplinary study of the social and cultural construction of gender, and how ideas about masculinity and feminity shape current issues, knowledge, popular culture, and social policy. Students who have completed GSWS 100 or WS 100 may not take GSWS 101 or WS 101 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An historical and comparative survey of feminisms and feminist activism in Western European, North American, and Global communities. Students who have completed WS 100 may not take GSWS 102 (or WS 102) for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Upper Division Requirements
Political Science
Students complete 24 upper division units. It is strongly recommended that POL 416 be included.
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Students complete 20 upper division GSWS units.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Major Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 間眅埶AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 間眅埶AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections