WOMS 1110
Focus on Women I0.5 unit
An introduction to Women’s Studies with emphasis on the diversity of women’s lives. Topics will include women’s relations to work, family, health, education, race, class, sexuality and violence. Note: Students who have received credit for WOMS 1102 may not take this course for credit.
WOMS 1112
Focus on Women II0.5 unit
An introduction to Women’s Studies with emphasis on the diversity of women’s lives. Topics will include the historical, philosophical and representational foundation of women’s oppression. Note: Students who have received credit for WOMS 1101 may not take this course for credit.
WOMS 2221
Women and Health0.5 unit
An interdisciplinary course which exams issues in women’s health. Topics may include body image and size, reproductive control, childbirth, mental health, aging and menopause. The course examines the social practices and power arrangements in the treatment of women’s health.
WOMS 2223/POLS 2223
Women and Politics0.5 unit
An examination of the role of women in politics, especially in Canada. Topics to be treated may include: the status of women in traditional political thought and the feminist response, the political involvement of women as citizens and legislators, and women’s access to power in different societies. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
WOMS 2231
Women and Culture0.5 unit
An examination of the role women have played in the performing and visual arts, including theatre, music, dance, film and painting. The purpose of this course is to analyse from a feminist perspective how representations of women both reflect and create our culture. The course will focus particularly on women’s role as producers, consumers and content of art forms. Note: Students who have received credit for WOMS 3331 may not take this course for credit.
WOMS 2281
Women and Caregiving0.5 unit
An exploration of the social, economic, and ideological influences on the role of women as caregivers. The opportunities and consequences of women’s caregiving roles, in the family and in the paid labour force will be examined. The conflicts, contradictions and tensions in the work of caregiving will be investigated.
WOMS 3301
Selected Topics in Women’s Studies0.5 unit
WOMS 3302
Selected Topics in Women’s Studies
0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1110 and 0.5 unit in another women’s studies or departmental
women-emphasis course at the 2000 level or above
A combined lecture-seminar course on a selected topic in women’s studies. Course content will vary from year to year, depending on the faculty member who is teaching the course.
WOMS 3305/FSGN 3305
Women and Aging0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1110 and SOAN/FSGN 2219 or PSYC /FSGN 2220
An examination of the unique roles and position of older women in contemporary society with an emphasis on how they are perceived and treated by society. Topics may include the variations in the psychological, health and socioeconomic status and needs of older women with implications for social policy. Note: Students who have received credit for GNTG 3305 may not take this course for credit
WOMS 3309/GWGS 6617
Feminism and Knowledge0.5 unit
Prerequisite: WOMS 1112
An examination of traditional and feminist theories of knowledge asking students to think about how, what and why they know what they know. What is knowledge? How do we know? And who can know it? Note: Students who have received credit for WOMS 2211 may not take this course for credit.
WOMS 3310
Women’s Studies Methodologies0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1112, 0.5 unit of departmental women-emphasis courses, or permission of the instructor
An examination of the ways in which women scholars have worked in a variety of disciplines. It will also deal with the new methodologies and insights on methodology which have emerged in the field of women’s studies. The course will include an applied research project in women's studies.
WOMS 3311
History of Feminist Thought0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1112
An examination of feminist thought from the seventeenth century to the 1960s, with a study of selected texts representative of a range of feminist views. Topics for consideration may include the philosophical visions of religious reformers, rationalists, political radicals, Marxists, socialists, existentialists and liberal democrats.
WOMS 3312
Contemporary Feminist Thought0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1112
An examination of feminist writing from the 1970s to the present with a study of texts analysing women’s present and proposed roles in society. Feminist study of such subjects as identity politics, psychoanalysis, jurisprudence, literature, visual art, science and history will be considered.
WOMS 3313/RELS 3313
Women, Culture and Food0.5 unit
An examination and exploration of the reproduction, production, consumption and representation of food as it relates to women in various cultural traditions. Issues include: food as sacred/profane, food rituals, food taboos, the material conditions of food production, globalization, women’s particular responsibility for food cross-culturally and the symbolic significance of food and women’s bodies.
WOMS 3330/CULS 3330/GWGS 6330
Canadian Women Film Directors0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1110 and0.5 unit in another women’s studies or departmental women-emphasis course at the 2000 level or above or permission of the instructor
A study of Canadian Women Film Directors’ contribution to narrative, documentary, experimental filmmaking and animation. Diverse directional styles and subject matter will be discussed in the context of sociohistorical changes that they reflect or resist. Readings will challenge dominant mainstream representation from various feminist perspectives and suggest alternate reception strategies. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
WOMS 3341/FSGN 3341
Legal Status of Women0.5 unit
A study of case law and current issues related to the status of women. Note: Students who have received credit for HUEC 3341 may not take this course for credit.
WOMS 3351
Women, War and Peace0.5 unit
Prerequisites: 1.0 unit of women’s studies or permission of the instructor
An examination of women’s historical and contemporary relationship to war and peace. Topics may include the debate over matriarchy, patriarchy and war; women in the military; women and revolution; the women’s peace movement; and feminism and non-violence.
WOMS 3361/POLS 3361
Women, Social Policy and The Welfare State0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1110 and 0.5 unit in another women’s studies or departmental women-emphasis course at the 2000 level or above or 1.0 unit of political studies or permission of the instructor
An examination of social policies and issues of particular importance for women, including the history of the welfare state, women’s caring role in the family, the feminization of poverty, homelessness, and the impact of race and class on women’s experiences of the welfare state.
WOMS 3365/PSYC 3365
Psychology of Women0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2265
A study of the psychosocial issues that pertain specifically to women. The course will utilize a feminist empiricist perspective to critically review a variety of topics, including: feminist epistemological positions, gender construction across the lifespan, women and work, motherhood, health, intimate relationships.
WOMS 3371/SOAN 3371
Women, Resistance and Empowerment0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1112, 0.5 unit in another women’s studies or departmental women-emphasis course at the 2000 level or above or SOAN 1101 or SOAN 1102/1103 or permission of the instructor
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to discuss and evaluate women’s experiences of resistance and empowerment in their everyday lives. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interrelationships among work, family and community, and the extent to which they are sites of resistance and empowerment for women.
WOMS 3391/POLS 3391
Gender and International Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 1110 and 0.5 unit in another women’s studies or departmental women-emphasis course at the 2000 level or above or 1.0 unit of political studies or permission of the instructor
An exploration of the relationships between gender, international relations theory and international organizations, from a feminist perspective. Topics will include the historical role of women in the United Nations and other international organizations; feminist analysis of international relations and development theory; and the global women’s movement.
WOMS 4401
Directed Study0.5 unit
WOMS 4402
Directed Study0.5 unit
WOMS 4403
Directed Study1.0 unit
Prerequisites: advanced standing and written permission from the chairperson of the women’s studies department
An open course permitting upper-level students to pursue in-depth study in a particular area of women’s studies. The student(s) and professor will design the program of study together.
WOMS 4407/ENGL 4407/GWGS 6607
Queer Theory0.5 unit
Prerequisite: 1.0 unit of English at the 2000 or 3000 level or 1.0 unit of women’s studies at the 3000 level or permission of the instructor
An examination of recent developments in lesbian and gay cultural criticism. Topics to be covered may include identity politics, camp, psychoanalytic theories of identification, pornography, and the representation of AIDS.
WOMS 4411/GWGS 6611
Senior Seminar0.5 unit
WOMS 4412/GWGS 6612
Senior Seminar0.5 unit
Prerequisites: WOMS 3310. Open only to seniors, women’s studies majors, or by permission of the department
An advanced seminar on a selected women’s studies topic. Topic will vary from year to year.
WOMS 4499
Honours Thesis1.0 unit
A major research project or essay, undertaken with the approval of the department under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The presentation of work-in-progress to a women’s studies colloquium is required.