Women's Studies Program

 

Degrees Offered What is Women's Studies? Is Women's Studies Just for Women? Why Minor in Women's Studies? Required Courses Career Paths How to Apply Have More Questions?

Student and Alumni News Putting research ideas to work  What can I do with my degree?

 

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• Co-operative Education

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What is Women's Studies?

Women's Studies is about the diversity of women. The program explores the social construction and variability of gender. We also examine how power relations linked to race and ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation and ability/disability impact the lives of women on the local as well as on the global levels.

Relatively new, women's studies programs developed within the second wave of feminism in the 1970s. They give university curricula a focus on women and on women's experiences, history, social movements and activism, literature and achievements. Today, Women's Studies is a dynamic field that continues to grow and develop as new research and perspectives emerge.

At the U of C, Women's Studies is a liberal arts program that draws from, and contributes to, many academic disciplines including sociology, political science, history, philosophy, economics, English literature, psychology, religious studies, natural sciences and the arts. Women's Studies students learn feminist theories, analyses and research methodologies along with oral and written communication skills. Students also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge in feminist praxis and community service learning courses. The knowledge students gain in cultural and political literacy can help them to become an agent of change in our society, and in the institutions and organizations in which they become involved.

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 Is Women's Studies Just for Women?

Not surprisingly, our students reflect the cultural diversity they study and are of all ages, ethnicities, socio-cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual identities and beliefs. Although Women's Studies focuses on women, it is not exclusively for women. Men can and do pursue majors and minors in the program.

Whatever your background, gender or interests, you'll find a major in Women's Studies relevant to the current events, issues, work and studies of daily life. A combined major or a minor in Women's Studies complements almost every major area of study at the University of Calgary and many students choose to combine Women's Studies in a joint major with another program of interest.

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 Why Minor in Women's Studies?

A Women's Studies minor is compatible with any major area of study!

• It will provide you with an interdisciplinary component to your degree and is flexible enough to be tailored to any set of interests.
• It will contribute to your training as a critical thinker and will offer a counter-balance to major areas of study that might not place women at the centre of academic inquiry.
• It will help to prepare you for graduate or professional school and will contribute to your employability by offering you the opportunities to develop your analytical, research and communication skills

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 Career Paths

Women's Studies and other liberal arts degrees open doors to a wide range of professions and careers. Graduates have pursued careers in the following areas:

• Advocate
• Business
• Campaign Organizer
• Caseworker
• Clinical Social Worker
• Community Organizer
• Education
• Film Maker
• Fundraiser
• Gender Development
• Government Relations
• Grant Writer
• Issue Expert
• Journalism
• Legislative Counsel
• Lobbyist
• Market Researcher
• Policy Analyst
• Political Director
• Public Administration
• Public Policy Advisor
• Reproductive Health Counsellor

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 To Apply Click Here.

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Have More Questions?

For comprehensive advising on your program of studies, contact:
Undergraduate Programs Office
4th Floor, MacEwan Student Centre
403-220-5881
http://www.ucalgary.ca/upo

The Faculty of Communication and Culture has a Director of Students, a full-time faculty member whose job is to help you make the most of your experience as a student in C&C.  If you have questions about academic mentoring, student success skills, extra-curricular involvement, transition from high school to university, or what life will be like as a Communication and Culture student, Dr. Dawn Johnston can help you out.
Please contact her at:

Dr. Dawn Johnston
Director of Students
Phone: (403) 220-3199
Email: debjohns@ucalgary.ca

For more course information visit the University Calendar.

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