Welcome to the Department of Gender & Women's Studies

(formerly known as Department of Women's Studies)

Announcement:

The Department of Women's Studies is now the Department of Gender & Women's Studies. A name change had been considered and debated for many years through both informal and formal discussions among students and faculty. The department’s External Review in 2009 cemented the idea of adding “gender” to our name, and we are now happy to announce that the University Senate has officially approved this change.

Why have we changed the name? The field itself has expanded and diversified over the years, and so has our department’s curriculum. “Women’s Studies” no longer precisely captures the range, diversity, content, and relevance of our research and teaching. Longstanding course offerings such as Women and Health, Gender, Race and Class, and Gender and Popular Culture have incorporated transformative new insights, and the department has recently added exciting courses on Feminism and Critical Race Theory, Transgender Feminisms, and Gender and Environmental Justice. The expansion of the department’s focus and courses reflects the breadth and inclusivity of the field as it has developed.

The study of “women” remains central to Gender and Women’s Studies, but the new name emphasizes our department’s critical engagement with the broader concept of “gender”, especially how gendered ideas and identities are constructed and practiced, and how gender intersects with other hierarchical categories of difference (such as class, race, ethnicity, ability, sexuality, etc.) to shape social relations, power, and lived experiences in societies. A total of twelve different departments in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Interdisciplinary programs contribute to the rich breadth and depth of our curriculum. Gender and Women’s Studies is more inclusive and relevant than ever, and we look forward to continuing our work and fostering connections within the university and the local community.

"The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn." - Gloria Steinem

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What is Gender & Women’s Studies?

Gender & Women’s Studies originated in the 1960s as a result of political critiques of the marginalization of important groups and perspectives within the educational system. Gender & Women’s Studies has since broadened, deepened, and has become an established scholarly field. Gender & Women’s Studies scholars explore gender relations and women’s experiences across cultures and nations, throughout history, and in contemporary societies. What unites Gender & Women’s Studies scholars is the shared understanding that gender relations shape every site of human interaction, from the very local, to the global. Hierarchical gender relations are understood in constant interaction with other important social, economic and cultural hierarchies, such as class, race, ability, and sexuality.

As an interdisciplinary department, Gender & Women’s Studies draws on theoretical perspectives and methodologies from a wide range of fields such as History, Political Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, English, Indigenous Studies, and the Natural Sciences. Trent University’s approach to Gender & Women’s Studies combines theory with empirical research, encourages critical thinking, and aims to develop in students strong analytical, writing and communication skills.

What Can I Do with a Gender & Women’s Studies Degree?

The short answer is anything!

We prepare you with superior skills in writing, research, analysis, and communication, along with an understanding of many social issues. 

These are practical transferable skills that are highly valued by today’s employers.  In light of society’s growing awareness about gender and equity, career opportunities for our graduates are excellent.

Gender & Women’s Studies graduates pursue careers in…

social work & counselling, teaching, policy research & analysis, law, community development, business, universities, government, international relations, journalism, human rights, arts & culture, science & medicine and many other fields.