Sexualities, Genders and Social Change Major

Sexualities, Genders and Social Change

Why Sexualities, Genders and Social Change?

Sexuality and gender, including the transgender experience, have a long history tied to masculinity, heteronormativity, discrimination, power, privilege, and inequality. It is the social constructs of sexuality and gender that influence and impact social, political, economic, and cultural systems, and ultimately define your sense of belonging and dictate your freedom in society.

 

Sexual Orientation is Personal

Sexual orientation itself is diverse, personal, and an important part of who you are. It drives your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours; psychologically (identity), sociologically (within culture), and physiologically (reproduction and attraction); but can lead to discrimination and harassment when outside the constructs of a heterosexual orientation.

 

Gender Identity and Power

Gender identity has had a key role in defining power and privilege, often afforded to a specific gender binary, but at the core is how our social world is organized—male or female, man or woman—demanding people who live outside that gender structure (i.e., not cisgender) remain silent. 

 

Your Impact on the World

We are training future leaders, like you, to tackle complex problems from a variety of viewpoints, which will empower you to be flexible and practical. We want you to revel in the grey, messy, and imperfect reality of advocacy, so that you can take chances, make mistakes, and learn from them to affect real change. In this program, you will gain tangible experience as you apply your knowledge to relatable and real experiences that are drawn from the not-for-profit sector, on-campus advocacy groups, corporate structures and/or media and public outreach campaigns.

 

What You'll Learn

You will explore theories relating to feminism, decolonialism, postcolonialism, transnationalism, LGBTQ2SIA+, race/whiteness, indigeneity, masculinity, (dis)ability among many others.

You will take a mixture of courses from various topics such as History, Classical Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, English, Music, Studio Art, and more.

 

Students in the Sexualities, Genders and Social Change SXGN program may also be interested in studying Psychology, Philosophy, Culture and Technology Studies, or other majors.

To see all courses offered in this degree, visit our 2023-2024 Academic Calendar.

Drive Meaningful Change

 Your Voice Matters

You will join a group of advocates, disruptors, and thought leaders. You will participate in outreach and advocacy by working directly with a community partner to create meaningful social change. Your voice and experience are needed now in our world, more than ever.

 Use Your Passion to Make a Difference

You will be empowered to pursue a topic that feels personal to you, and you will learn the skills to make meaningful change through advocacy and outreach.

 Pursue a Stream That Excites You

You will choose between one of two specializations within our program:

  1. Power and Politics: Community-outreach, activism, public policy, and advocacy
  2. Creativity and Expression: Writing and literature, artistic practice, and digital communications. 

Admission Requirements

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Scholarships & Bursaries

We offer a wide range of financial aid programs to assist with funding your education at the University of Guelph.

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