Sexualities, Genders and Social Change
Why Choose Sexualities, Genders and Social Change?
This is a program for students who want to create meaningful change in the world.
The major in Sexualities, Genders, and Social Change is a multidisciplinary program with an emphasis on community outreach. Our diverse faculty, research, and course offerings allow students to engage with issues in sexuality and gender studies from unique angles while proposing new solutions. Students will gain tangible experience as they apply their knowledge to learning opportunities that are drawn from the not-for-profit sector, on-campus advocacy groups, corporate structures and/or media and public outreach campaigns. The program will expose students to contemporary language and perspectives on gender and sexuality studies, while interrogating a broad range of topics, form the concept of toxic masculinity to the importance of trans rights.
Our graduates will have the skills to directly intervene in the world through careers in human rights advocacy, social work, political activism, policy analysis and development, healthcare, marketing, education, and more.
Why choose SXGN at U of G? Because your intervention in the world matters!
Sexualities, Genders and Social Change
Sexualities, Genders, and Social Change (SXGN) considers concepts relating to human identity, embodiment, and self-expression alongside their connections to social, political, and cultural systems. This program explores theories relating to feminism, decolonialism, postcolonialism, transnationalism, LGBTQ+, race/whiteness, indigeneity, masculinity, and (dis)ability among many others.
As a student in this program, you will examine these topics from multi-disciplinary perspectives, exploring theories and methodologies from across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and business. You will engage in outreach and advocacy, and work with a community partner to create meaningful social change.
We are believers, disruptors, and thought leaders. Our program prepares students to create change and advocate for social justice.
Program
Students in the major will complete courses in Sexualities, Genders and Social Change, along with electives in Social Justice and Leadership for Advocacy. These include courses from Anthropology, Family Relations and Human Development, International Development, Sociology, Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour, and Management.
Areas of Emphasis
While completing their core study, students will select an Area of Emphasis to appear on their transcript in either Politics and Power or Creativity and Expression.
Politics and Power prepares students for careers in community-outreach, activism, advocacy, public policy, social work, and the justice system. Students in this area will take courses in Philosophy, Classical Studies, History, European Studies, and Political Science.
Creativity and Expression will focus on writing and literature, artistic practice, digital applications, and communication. Students in this area will take courses focused on Art, Art History, Music, Theatre, Media Studies, Digital Humanities, and Languages. This area of emphasis will prepare students for careers in communications, marketing, branding, public outreach, and artist-activism.
The program culminates in a capstone experience centered around practical outreach and advocacy, with students working closely on a project proposed by a community partner.