Studies in Women and Gender


  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Major, Minor
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo

Are you interested in studying how gender functions as a marker of power in society? The Women and Gender Studies Program at VIU uses interdisciplinary approaches to looking critically at gender as it is constructed and maintained through cultural production, institutions and ideologies.

A Bachelor of Arts with a Major or Minor in Gender and Women’s Studies Studies builds strategic thinkers, social critiquers and necessary allies. The Women and Gender studies program is grounded in feminist theory and teaching/learning styles, and recognizes the value of a participatory classroom where diverse life experiences are included and recognized.

The Studies in Women and Gender (BA) Program

Studies in Women and Gender at VIU encourages students, using interdisciplinary approaches, to look critically at gender as it is constructed and maintained through cultural production, institutions, and ideologies. Gender functions as a marker of power alongside other categories of difference including race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, age, and disability/ability. Feminist understandings of intersectionality provide a lens for the exploration of gendered experience and tools for imagining resistance, activism, decolonization. The program is grounded in feminist theory and teaching/learning styles, and recognizes the value of a participatory classroom where diverse life experiences are included and recognized.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements.

Years 1 and 2

Credits

Students require twelve credits in years 1 and 2, with a minimum of six of those credits coming directly from SWAG courses.

Select up to four of the following:
SWAG 100 - (Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies)
SWAG 101 - (Civil Discourse and Campus Life)
SWAG 102 - (Social Justice Issues and Children)
SWAG 103 - (Care of Self: Feminism and Wellbeing)
SWAG 200 - (Introduction to Feminisms)
SWAG 201 - (Introduction to Gender)
SWAG 210 - (Introduction to Indigenous Feminisms)
SWAG 211 - (Introduction to Indigenous Gender)

Students may take up to six credits from the following courses:
ANTH 245 - (Archeology in Popular Culture)
HIST 113 - (Canada Since 1945)
HIST 114 - (Canadian Women's History to 1920)
HIST 115 - (Canadian Women's History since 1920)
HIST 208 - (North American Popular Culture After World War II)
HIST 218 - (Gender and Sexuality in the Pre-Modern World)
HIST 260 - (Sickness and Health from Antiquity to 1800)
HIST 261 - (Sickness and Health since 1800)
HIST 281 - (The U.S. First Ladies from 1885: Gender, Power and Politics)
THEA 115 - (Participatory Drama)
CRIM 213 - (Gender, Crime and Justice)
SOCI 212 - (Race and Ethnicity in the Modern World)

12

Total Credits

12

Years 3 and 4

Credits

Select a minimum of thirty credits of upper-level SWAG courses; including up to twelve credits of approved courses offered by other departments with a focus on gender or other categories of socio-cultural difference.

Possible selections include:
SWAG 300 - (Studies in Masculinity)
SWAG 301 - (Discourses of Gender)
SWAG 302 - (Queer Theory)
SWAG 303 - (Unruly Women: Mainstreaming Rebellion)
SWAG 305 - (Foundations of Feminist Thought, the Body and Representation)
SWAG 306 - (Foundations of Feminist Thought, Work and Society)
SWAG 307 - (Women and Autobiography)
SWAG 310 - (Unsettling Canada: Indigenous Women's Activism)
SWAG 311 - (Healing Words: Indigenous Women's Storytelling)
SWAG 320 - (Advanced Women and Leadership)
SWAG 330 - (Women and Gender in Digital Spaces)
SWAG 340 - (Indigenous Feminisms and Indigenous Law)
SWAG 341 - (Women and the Law)
SWAG 380 - (Topics in Women and Gender)
SWAG 400 - (Special Topics Feminist Theory)
SWAG 401 - (Feminist Research Methodologies)
SWAG 490 - (Directed Studies)

Approved courses from other departments:
ENGL 328 - (Gender and Sexuality in Literature)
HIST 300 - (Women in the United States, 1600-1900)
HIST 301 - (Women in the United States since 1900)
HIST 339 - (Consumer Nation: Society and Business in Modern Canada)
HIST 366 - (Popular Culture of Early Modern Europe)
HIST 349 - (Education and Childhood in Canada)
HIST 384 - (The European Witch Craze, c. 1300-1700)
HIST 385 - (Women in Medieval and Early Modern Europe)
HIST 471 - (Modern North American Popular Culture to 1950)
HIST 472 - (Modern North American Popular Culture from 1950)
HIST 473 - (Gender and Europe and North America: The 19th Century)
HIST 474 - (Gender in Europe and North America: The 20th Century)
HIST 478 - (Gender Issues in Health Care)
HIST 485 - (Issues in the Social History of Nursing)
SOCI 335 - (Social Problems and Solutions)
ANTH 335 - (Ethnicity in Canada)
ANTH 331 - (Studies in Ethnomusicology)
PHED 380 - (Women in Physical Activity and Sport)

30

Total Credits

30

Students wishing to complete a Major in Studies in Women and Gender should consult the program chair as early as possible in their planning process.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2

Credits

Select two of the following, for a total of six credits: 
SWAG 100 - (Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies)
SWAG 101 - (Civil Discourse and Campus Life)
SWAG 102 - (Social Justice Issues and Children)
SWAG 103 - (Care of Self: Feminism and Wellbeing)
SWAG 200 - (Introduction to Feminisms)
SWAG 201 - (Introduction to Gender)
SWAG 210 - (Introduction to Indigenous Feminisms)
SWAG 211 - (Introduction to Indigenous Gender)

Students are encouraged to choose electives from the following courses:
ANTH 245 - (Archeology in Popular Culture)
HIST 113 - (Canada Since 1945)
HIST 114 - (Canadian Women's History to 1920)
HIST 115 - (Canadian Women's History since 1920)
HIST 208 - (North American Popular Culture After World War II)
HIST 218 - (Gender and Sexuality in Pre-Modern World)
HIST 260 - (Sickness and Health from Antiquity to 1800)
HIST 261 - (Sickness and Health since 1800)
HIST 281 - (The U.S. First Ladies from 1885: Gender, Power and Politics)
THEA 115 - (Participatory Drama I)
CRIM 213 - (Gender, Crime and Justice)
SOCI 212 - (Race and Ethnicity in the Modern World)

6

Total Credits

6

Years 3 and 4

Credits

Select a minimum of eighteen credits of upper-level SWAG courses; including up to six credits of approved courses offered by other departments with a focus on gender or other categories of socio-cultural difference.

Possible selections include:
SWAG 300 - (Studies in Masculinity)
SWAG 301 - (Discourses of Gender)
SWAG 302 - (Queer Theory)
SWAG 303 - (Unruly Women: Mainstreaming Rebellion)
SWAG 305 - (Foundations of Feminist Thought, the Body and Representation)
SWAG 306 - (Foundations of Feminist Thought, Work and Society)
SWAG 307 - (Women and Autobiography)
SWAG 310 - (Unsettling Canada: Indigenous Women's Activism)
SWAG 311 - (Healing Words: Indigenous Women's Storytelling)
SWAG 320 - (Advanced Women and Leadership)
SWAG 330 - (Women and Gender in Digital Spaces)
SWAG 340 - (Indigenous Feminisms and Indigenous Law)
SWAG 341 - (Women and the Law)
SWAG 380 - (Topics in Women and Gender)
SWAG 400 - (Special Topics Feminist Theory)
SWAG 401 - (Feminist Research Methodologies)
SWAG 490 - (Directed Studies)

Approved courses offered by other departments:
ENGL 328 - (Gender and Sexuality in Literature)
HIST 300 - (Women in the United States, 1600-1900)
HIST 301 - (Women in the United States since 1900)
HIST 339 - (Consumer Nation: Society and Business in Modern Canada)
HIST 366 - (Popular Culture of Early Modern Europe)
HIST 349 - (Education and Childhood in Canada)
HIST 384 - (The European Witch Craze, c. 1300-1700)
HIST 385 - (Women in Medieval and Early Modern Europe)
HIST 471 - (Modern North American Popular Culture to 1950)
HIST 472 - (Modern North American Popular Culture from 1950)
HIST 473 - (Gender and Europe and North America: The 19th Century)
HIST 474 - (Gender in Europe and North America: The 20th Century)
HIST 478 - (Gender Issues in Health Care)
HIST 485 - (Issues in the Social History of Nursing)
SOCI 335 - (Social Problems and Solutions)
ANTH 335 - (Ethnicity in Canada)
ANTH 331 - (Studies in Ethnomusicology)
PHED 380 - (Women in Physical Activity and Sport)

18

Total Credits

18

Students wishing to complete a minor in Studies in Women and Gender should consult the program chair as early as possible in their planning process.

Updated 
Monday, March 1, 2021

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (30 credits x $159.94 per credit)

4,798.20

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

191.93

Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.07 per credit)

212.10

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $24.88 per month)

199.04

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

7,166.27
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $9613.50 per semester)

19,227.00

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $426.07 per semester)

852.14

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $24.88 per month)

199.04

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

22,043.18
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on a maximum of 15 credits at $739.50 per credit, up to a maximum of $9,613.50 per semester for 12-15 credits; $739.50 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on a maximum of 15 credits at $32.77 per credit, up to a maximum of $426.07 per semester for 12-15 credits; $32.77 per credit beyond 15 credits.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Updated
Monday, August 1, 2022

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 6, 2022
Accepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$43.40
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$43.40
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$43.40
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Jan 5, 2023
Accepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$43.40
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$43.40
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$43.40
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 6, 2022
Next Intake(s)

January 5, 2023

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi and Yuzo Ishida
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca.

For more information

Contact: Studies in Women and Gender Department Chair, Kathleen Reed