Gender studies

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Campus: St. John's Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Gender Studies
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts; International bachelor of arts; Joint arts and science degree
Length: Four years
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The gender studies major offers you the opportunity to explore gender in society. It addresses gender and gender relations and practical tools for promoting equality.

Gender studies courses lead to new knowledge and understanding and provide a critical edge for thinking about everyday situations (such as literature, advertisements and reality television), current events (such as political conflicts), and always changing social and political issues (such as the movement of people, products and money across borders). 

In addition to being a discipline in itself, gender studies is an important area of study in disciplines such as literary theory, drama studies, film studies, religious studies, performance theory, art history, anthropology, sociology and psychology.

Gender studies at Memorial

Gender studies at Memorial allows you to develop a framework for thinking about power relations connected to social constructions of gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, age and nationality through multiple perspectives and theories.

Admission requirements

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose gender studies as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

Sample first year

Wondering what courses you would take in your first year? Check out a sample program of suggested courses for gender studies students.

Sample courses and degree map

GNDR 3008 - Feminist Practices and Global Change
GNDR 3015 - Indigenous Feminisms in Theory and Practice
GNDR 3100 - Gendered Politics of Health

Gender studies degree map

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being. 

Career opportunities

A gender studies degree is good preparation for careers that require the skills of critical analysis and data synthesis such as:

  • law
  • public service
  • social work
  • diplomacy
  • international development
  • police work
  • non-profit organizations
  • anti-violence organizations

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.