COURSE CURRICULUM

The four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender and Women’s Studies at Cape Breton University is structured to provide a comprehensive and progressive study of gender, identity, power, and social structures. In the first year, students take introductory Gender and Women’s Studies courses alongside general arts electives, focusing on foundational concepts such as gender roles, identity formation, and social inequality, while developing basic skills in critical thinking, writing, and analysis. In the second year, the program expands into more focused study areas including feminist theory, gender and society, family and social institutions, and the intersections of gender with race, class, and culture, allowing students to examine how social systems shape lived experiences. 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 learning that connects academic concepts to real-world contexts. In the fourth year, the curriculum emphasizes advanced integration of knowledge through senior seminars, independent research projects, and capstone-style assignments that explore complex gender-related issues in depth. Across all four years, the program strengthens analytical, research, and communication skills while fostering a strong understanding of social justice and equality, preparing graduates for careers in advocacy, public service, education, human resources, media, and community development.