Program Overview

Overview of the Gender and Social Justice Degree

The Gender and Social Justice degree at the University of Waterloo is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the ways in which society is shaped by gender. This program allows students to develop expertise in issues of gender, diversity, equality, and social justice, preparing them for careers in law, social policy planning, community action, counseling, teaching, human rights, and more.

Program Structure

• The degree is offered as a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Social Justice.
• Students can choose to study Gender and Social Justice through either Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
• The program includes a co-op option, providing students with paid work experience.

First-Year Courses

In the first year, students will take:

• Three introductory Gender and Social Justice (GSJ) courses.
• An Arts First course, which involves working in small groups to respond to an intriguing challenge.
• Electives to explore an additional major of their choosing.

Sample Upper-Year Courses

Some examples of upper-year courses include:

• GSJ 262 – Global Queer Cinema
• GSJ 307 – Race and Resistance
• GSJ 347 – Witches, Wives, and Whores
• GSJ 430 – Unruly Women in Early Modern Hispanic Culture

Customizing the Degree

Students can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more minors available to all Waterloo students.

Co-op Program

• The co-op program provides students with relevant paid work experience.
• Sample co-op job titles include digital marketing intern, teaching assistant, and customer success lead.
• The co-op work-study sequence typically starts in the second year, with students alternating between school and work every four months.

Admissions

• To apply, students should apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Gender and Social Justice as their major at the end of the first year.
• Ontario students require six Grade 12 U and/or M courses, including any Grade 12 U English with a minimum final grade of at least 70%.
• The admission average is in the low 80s for both co-op and regular programs.

Career Opportunities

Upon graduating, students will be prepared for a variety of careers, including:

• Counselling
• Social work
• Teaching
• Human rights
• Law
• Social policy planning
• Community action

Recent graduates have found employment in roles such as Counselling Co-ordinator, Social Worker, and Teacher.

Related Programs

Related programs include:

• Sexualities, Relationships, and Families
• Peace and Conflict Studies

These programs offer students a range of options for exploring social justice and gender studies in depth.