COURSE CURRICULUM

The three-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) in Gender and Women’s Studies at Cape Breton University is designed to examine gender, identity, power, and social structures through an interdisciplinary and community-focused lens. In the first year, students take introductory community studies courses along with foundational Gender and Women’s Studies subjects such as Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies, while also developing core skills in communication, critical thinking, and social analysis. In the second year, the curriculum expands to include topics such as gender and diversity, social inequality, cultural studies, family and social structures, and the intersection of gender with race, class, and other identities, helping students understand broader social systems. In the third year, students engage in more advanced and applied learning, including feminist theory, gender and social change, gender in the workplace, research methods, and community-based or experiential learning opportunities that connect academic study with real-world issues. Across all three years, the program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, analytical thinking, and community engagement, encouraging students to critically evaluate social systems and inequalities. Graduates develop strong skills in research, writing, and communication, preparing them for careers in public service, advocacy, human resources, education, and community development, as well as for further academic study.