COURSE CURRICULUM

The three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender and Women’s Studies at Cape Breton University is structured to build a strong foundation in understanding gender, identity, power, and social structures through an interdisciplinary approach. In the first year, students take introductory courses in gender and women’s studies along with general arts electives, focusing on key concepts such as gender roles, socialization, and the cultural construction of identity while developing critical thinking and communication skills. In the second year, the curriculum expands into more focused areas including feminist theory, gender and society, family and social institutions, and the intersection of gender with race, class, and culture, helping students analyze how inequality operates in different contexts. In the third year, students engage in advanced coursework such as gender and communication, gender in the workplace, social policy, and applied research methods, with opportunities for experiential or community-based learning that connects theory to real-world issues. Across all three years, the program emphasizes analytical thinking, research skills, and an understanding of social justice. The curriculum is flexible within the BA structure, allowing electives from other disciplines, and prepares graduates for careers in public service, advocacy, education, human resources, media, and community development, as well as for further academic study.