Studies in Women and Gender

  • Program Length
    4 Years
  • Credential
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options
    Major, Minor
  • Fully Available at
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

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.

Program Overview

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, and 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 2Credits

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

 

Students may take up to six credits from approved courses offered by other departments.

12
Total Credits12
Years 3 and 4Credits
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.30
Total Credits30

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 2Credits

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

 

Students may take up to six credits from approved courses offered by other departments..

12
Years 3 and 4Credits
Select a minimum of twelve 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. 12

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.

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 $169.73 per credit) 5,091.90
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) 162.96
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) 179.92
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) 230.96
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 7,450.74
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 and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


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 (30 credits x $815.77 per credit) 24,473.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) 162.96
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) 179.92
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) 230.96
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 26,831.94
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 and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

For more information

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