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Gender, sexuality, and women's studies
Curious how ideas about gender and sexuality impact society? Learn about how social movements and political activism can change the world in this interdisciplinary field of study. The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (GSWS) at Simon Fraser University grew from the first women’s studies program in Canada. The department aims to bring feminist, queer, and intersectional understandings to the analysis of power and how it operates locally and transnationally. Promote critical research and scholarship, engaged teaching, and meaningful community service in a nurturing environment.
The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSWS) offers major, joint major, minor, and extended minor programs.
We also have an active student union which has organized many fun on-campus events such as movie screenings, seminars and panels, and barbeques. The GSWS Student Union actively participates in a variety of on and off campus events and initiatives that advance gender inclusivity and sexual diversity including faculty conversations, peaceful protests, and community organizing.
Program Options
Learn more about the different degrees and programs available to you at Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies.
Undergraduate options
Major
Joint Major
- Anthropology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- Criminology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- English and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies and Psychology Bachelor of Arts
- Global Humanities and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- History and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
- Sociology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bachelor of Arts
Minor
Extended Minor
Co-operative Education Program
Graduate options
Career pathways
Graduate with a wealth of knowledge about human rights, social justice, political activism, and the intersection of gender and other structures of power such as race, class, ethnicity, and ability. Learn to view these issues through the perspectives and methodologies of cultural and media studies, history, social science, science studies and more. Develop transferable skills that are highly valuable in many professions.
Our students have succeeded in many different careers including:
- Communications strategist
- Coordinator of NGOs and non-profit organizations
- Journalist
- Equity officer
- Lawyer
- Police officer
- Mental health counselor
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation worker
- Family therapist
- Social worker
- Small business owner
- Career counselor
“When I saw the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies program at SFU, I was immediately drawn to its interdisciplinary approach to topics. I wanted to learn more about social movements, political movements and how they interact with our daily way of life. I have been able to connect with professors who come from very diverse personal and academic backgrounds. They taught me the importance of intersectional research, the art of critical thinking and so much more.”
Shilpa Narayan
2021 Graduating Class | Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Major
Learn more
Dr. Helen Leung describes GSWS 100: Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Sexuality Studies.
Dr. Jen Marchbank describes GSWS 102: Feminist Action.
