About

Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) is an innovative, interdisciplinary program that explores human behaviour, institutions, culture, politics, and social issues. Students will examine current and historical events, theories, and movements related to gender and sexuality, race and Indigeneity, class relations, disability, and other areas, building skills in critical thinking, gender-based analysis, anti-oppressive research, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.


Quick facts
  • Three or four year degree
  • Full or part-time program
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

What you will learn

Through innovative classrooms and assignments you will examine gender in politics, news, media, art, music, science, religion, and theory. You will also explore the ways that gender and sexuality are shaped by colonialism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and transphobia, as well as by constructions of difference based on class, disability, religion, ethnicity, and culture.

A first-year schedule sample

This degree program is flexible and offers you the opportunity to take courses in many different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:

Course Description

Fall Term
WGST 112a Introduction to Womens and Gender Studies
ENG 113b Literature and Composition Reading Narrative
INDG 107c Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
MATH 101d Quantitative Reasoning
SOC 111e Foundations in Sociology Society Structure Process

Winter Term
RLST 112e Western Religions in Society and Culture
PSY 121e Social Clinical Cultural and Developmental Bases of Psychology
HIST 135e History Matters Gender Sex and Society
ENG 120e Introduction to Creative Writing
GEOG 125e Environmental Science and Society

a Required course for the major
b One of the course options to complete the English Language Writing Requirement
c One of the course options to complete the Indigenous Learning Requirement
d One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
e One of the course options which may be used in the Breadth, Cognate, and/or Electives Requirements

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

WGST 201: Images of Gender and Sexuality in Popular Culture

An introduction to the ways gender, sexuality and identity are represented and produced in popular culture, mainstream media and populist feminist culture. Focuses on critical analysis and intervention, the production of culture and a variety of cultural forms, mainstream media and representational practices.

WGST 220: Queering the Terrain Cultural Space and Queer Theory

Locates queer embodiments, performances and projects in local, national and transnational contexts. What is made visible and invisible in performance theory, constructions/appropriations of the deviant, and the complex shifts in queer space taking place through globalization? How are effects produced as queer across interwoven spaces?

WGST 315: Politics of Gender and Sexuality in Transnational Feminisms

Constructed notions of gender and sexuality are profoundly implicated in uneven economic development; poverty and disadvantage accrues to women and feminized positions in both one and two-thirds worlds. How do people of all genders, non-governmental, state and intergovernmental organizations respond to resulting crises? What alternatives are envisioned by transnational feminisms?

Study abroad

You can take advantage of our unique study abroad opportunities.

Unique opportunities

The Women's & Gender Studies program is uniquely located within the Department of Political Studies which encourages political and social engagement, as well as increased opportunity to put our theories into action. We also have two certificate programs, one in Applied Gender Justice and the other in Queer Theory, Gender Diversity, and Sexualities Studies. These certificates complement a wide range of degree programs, as well as a variety of human, health, and public service careers.

Careers

Today there is a demonstrated need for people with a background in Women's and Gender Studies to work within the areas as social services, education, policy development, health care, counselling and therapy, law, media, advertising, public administration, finance, and management. Some of our graduates have the following careers:

  • Non-profit Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer
  • Support Services Manager
  • Political Campaign Staff
  • Small Business Owner
  • Crisis-Management Consultant
  • Educator in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • International Human Rights Program Coordinator
  • Community Development Coordinator

Tuition estimates

Canadian students International students
Tuition $7,257 $30,480
Student fees $1,089 $1,089
Books $1,500 $1,500
Total $9,846 $33,069

Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2023-2024 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Program options

These Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Women's and Gender Studies degrees are offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science:

You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies to decide if you want a four-year, three-year or honours degree.

Admission requirements and deadlines

Deadlines

Start term Application DeadlineInternational Deadline
Winter
January 2024
Dec 1, 2023
Documents due: Dec 15, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Documents due: Oct 1, 2023
Spring
May 2024
Apr 1, 2024
Documents due: May 1, 2024
Feb 1, 2024
Documents due: Mar 1, 2024
Summer
July 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Mar 1, 2024
Documents due: Apr 1, 2024
Fall
September 2024
Aug 15, 2024
Documents due: Aug 15, 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Winter
January 2025
Dec 1, 2024
Documents due: Dec 15, 2024
Sep 1, 2024
Documents due: Oct 1, 2024

Ready to apply?

A non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD is required before your application will be processed.

Explore related programs

If you are looking for graduate level (Master or Ph.D.) programs please consult our graduate students' website.

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