What is gender studies?

The discipline of gender studies critically examines how gender shapes our identities, our social interactions and our world. Gender studies at Memorial allows students to develop a framework for thinking about power relations connected to social constructions of gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, age, and nationality through multiple perspectives and theories. Gender Studies also provides students with the opportunity to obtain practical tools for promotion of equity across social, political, and economic spheres. Gender Studies is diverse in that it can be applied to several other disciplines of study, like literary theory, drama studies, film studies, religious studies, performance theory, art history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and political science.

What do gender studies students do?

What do gender studies students study? Sample courses include:

• GNDR 2006 Genders and Sexualities; introduces genders and sexualities from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students will explore the continuum of sex/gender and sexual identities, and examine how these identities intersect with other aspects of identity, including (but not limited to) race, class, and (dis)ability.
• GNDR 3025 Theories of Gender, Race and Post-Colonialism; examines theories, themes and issues that have emerged from, and in response to, post-colonial studies in recent decades. This course focuses particularly on what this body of scholarship contributes to understandings of the roles of gender, race and sexuality in colonialism, as well as the comprehension of current social and political realities.
• GNDR 3100 Gendered Politics of Health; examines intersections of gender and health, recognising these to be politically shaped categories that have direct implications for individuals' lives. This course considers the ways that particular conceptualizations of gender, health and well-being are shaped and challenged and considers the role of individuals, institutions and states in structuring opportunities and challenges related to health.

What sort of jobs do gender studies students get?

Nicole Kieley is a local giant in the not-for-profit sector. Her roles include former executive director for Women in Resource Development Corporation and presently she is executive director for the NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre Inc. In 2006 she founded Mamma K's, an initiative that combines local geography, theatre, gaming and art to create engaging and captivating challenges. Nicole completed an undergraduate degree in anthropology and gender studies, and went on to pursue a masters degree in gender studies.