¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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To view the current Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html.

| ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar | Fall 2023

Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies

Master of Arts

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 supervisor and supervisory committee.

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar. The Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (GSWS) minimum requirement for admission to the MA is a BA (BSc) with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 for the thesis option, and a minimum CGPA of 3.0 for the course intensive option, from a recognized university. MA student will be admitted into a specific option (thesis or course intensive) and so should apply to the preferred option. 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. 

Students will be accepted into the MA thesis option only if a suitable supervisor is willing to supervise them. Supervisors will be selected from joint GSWS appointees and continuing faculty on the coordinating committee of the department including associate members.

A student with incomplete academic preparation for the MA program may be required to complete up to 12 units of undergraduate course work in either the GSWS or another relevant program prior to commencing their MA.

Program Requirements

Thesis Option

This program option consists of course work and a thesis for a minimum of 38 units.

Students must complete

GSWS 800 - Toolkit for GSWS Research (5)

An interdisciplinary seminar introducing a variety of methodological approaches to research in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. Students will examine the theories, purpose, scope, and strategies for feminist approaches to research. Students will study examples of research and criticism from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on rigorous and creative approaches to research design, as well as practical application of research methods. Students will apply methods studied in the course to their own areas of concentration.

GSWS 811 - Professional Development Colloquium I (3)

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. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GSWS 812 - Professional Development Colloquium II (3)

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. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

GSWS 822 - Graduate Seminar in Feminist Theory (5)

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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby

and an additional 4 units of graduate courses*

and a thesis

GSWS 898 - MA Thesis (18)

Thesis. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
TBD
TBD

Course Intensive Option

This program option consists of courses and a field examination for a minimum of 36 units.

Students must complete

GSWS 811 - Professional Development Colloquium I (3)

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. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GSWS 812 - Professional Development Colloquium II (3)

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. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

GSWS 822 - Graduate Seminar in Feminist Theory (5)

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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby

and one of

GSWS 800 - Toolkit for GSWS Research (5)

An interdisciplinary seminar introducing a variety of methodological approaches to research in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. Students will examine the theories, purpose, scope, and strategies for feminist approaches to research. Students will study examples of research and criticism from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on rigorous and creative approaches to research design, as well as practical application of research methods. Students will apply methods studied in the course to their own areas of concentration.

GSWS 826 - Graduate Seminar on Queer/Trans Studies (5)

An examination of the formation, development, and current direction in the fields of queer and trans theory. Students will study the influence of feminism on both fields, the emergence of formative questions and key debates, and critical challenges posed by colonial histories, globalization of LGBT identities, and transnational/local taxonomies.

and an additional 14 units of graduate courses*

and a field examination

GSWS 999 - MA Field Exam (6)

Field Exam. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: GSWS 822 and five graduate courses.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
TBD
TBD
TBD

*Two of these courses may be from gender, sexuality, and women's studies courses at the universities under the Western Deans’ Agreement or relevant offerings in other ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV departments, with the approval of the student's supervisory committee.

Program Length

Students in the course intensive option are normally expected to complete the program requirements in four to six terms. Students in the thesis option are normally expected to complete the program requirements in six to eight terms.

Other Information

Supervisory Committee

Upon admission, the student will be assigned a two member supervisory 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.

Please consult the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies website for more information.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.