Bachelor of Arts, Women's and Gender Studies Major
The mission of the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) is to strengthen your critical and creative thinking by offering a broad range of social, political, and cultural programs of study. A liberal arts education from Athabasca University is designed to broaden your perspective on local and global affairs, encourage community and social involvement, and prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity.
The Bachelor of Arts (4-year) provides students with a broad, flexible education that allows them to develop, understand, and disseminate knowledge, to think critically, and to build on these abilities. In addition, the four-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) with a Major are expected to have gained sufficient analytical and critical thinking skills to be able to engage in independent research in their chosen major. Athabasca University does not offer an Honours BA.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (3-year) program who wish to transfer to the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program must complete a new Undergraduate General Application Form. Previous education will be reassessed and students will be notified of the results.
Women's and Gender Studies Major
Athabasca University’s Women’s and Gender Studies program is designed to develop or expand your knowledge of the established field of women’s studies and the emerging field of gender studies. You will have the opportunity to engage with a range of feminist theories, concepts, history, methodologies, research, and activism and discover how they inform the diverse lives and experiences of women across cultures.
Planning your program
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, "Mapping Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University."
Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Although you may change majors, a major must be selected when you enrol in the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program.
You are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in your program. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.
Program structure
Total credits in the program | 120 |
Minimum credits required | |
---|---|
At the senior (300 or 400) level (including 18 credits at the 400 level) | 75 |
In the major (compulsory) * may be higher depending on the specific requirements of the major | 45* |
Minimum senior-level credits in major (including a minimum of 12 credits at the 400 level) | 30 |
Arts (Humanities and social sciences) | 96 |
| 18 18 |
Science | 6 |
Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. | 30 |
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. | 24 |
Minor (optional) | |
Minimum credits in the minor (including a minimum of 15 credits at the 300 and 400 level) | 30 |
Students may not apply a course to both the major and the minor. | |
Maximum credits allowed | |
In any one discipline | 60 |
Applied studies | 18 |
At the preparatory level | 6 |
At junior level in any one discipline | 15 |
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition credits | 9 |
Additional Women's and Gender Studies Major requirements
Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) with Major:
- A minimum of 45 credits in designated WGST major courses including 30 senior (300 or 400) level credits applicable to the major (a minimum of 12, 400-level credits). The 9, 400-level credits taken in the required core can be used to fulfill a portion of these 12, 400-level credits.
- 30 credits in the following required core courses:
required core courses INST 358 Aboriginal Women in Canada (3) WGST 200 Feminist Research and Women’s Lives (3) WGST 201 An Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies (3) WGST 303 Issues in Women's Health (3) WGST 320 Gendered Bodies and Society (3) WGST 322 Sexuality in Society (3) WGST/SOCI 345 Women, Gender and Work in Canada (3) WGST 401 Contemporary Feminist Theory (3) WGST 422 Violence Against Women: A Global Perspective (3) WGST/HSRV 470 Advocacy From the Margins (3)
Electives
(15 credits selected from the following)
WGST | All WGST Courses | |
ANTH 384 | The Family in World Perspective | (3) |
ENGL 307 | Women in Literature | (3) |
ENGL 308 | Indigenous Literature in Canada | (3) |
INST 420 | Indigenous Resistance | (3) |
LGST 390 | Women, Equality and the Law | (3) |
POEC 395 | Political Economy of Development: People, Processes, and Policies | (3) |
POLI 350 | Women in Canadian Politics | (3) |
PSYC 345 | The Psychology of Gender and Sexuality | (3) |
PSYC 347 | The Introduction to Feminist Counselling | (3) |
SOCI 378/CMNS 385 | Rebel with a Cause: Social Movements in History and Popular Culture | (3) |
Recommendation
Before enrolling in this program, students should contact Advising Services.
Second Undergraduate Degree
Students are not permitted to obtain a second undergraduate degree in the same field or related field as their first undergraduate degree. Students who have completed a previous undergraduate degree must enter the second undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (4-year) degree and follow these regulations. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.
Updated March 20, 2023 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)