Women's and Gender Studies
Women's and Gender Studies emphasizes the importance of gender as a category of critical analysis in areas such as scholarly activity, education, social relationships, cultural expression, and politics. Students are encouraged to examine established theoretical frameworks, institutions, ideologies, history, identity, science, language and culture while exploring feminist alternatives.
In 1973, Acadia University became one of the first universities in Canada to offer a course in Women's Studies. The course, entitled Women in the Modern World, was the cornerstone of a program which over four decades has developed a multi-disciplinary and intersectional approach to teaching and research in gender and sexuality related issues. Acadia's WGST stands out for its unique interfaculty course in Women in Science as well for its Mentorship & Networking Opportunities. WGST is a member of the national Women's, Gender and Social Justice Association.
WGST Vision Statement
In the WGST program, people commit to lifelong learning journeys, make their ways alone and with others, ask critical questions about gender, sexuality, race, class, and ability, and act for change through feminism, social action, and other pathways of resistance.
WGST Mission Statement
With sustained resources, the WGST program will foster a vibrant, dynamic campus community that critically engages with issues of gender, sexuality, race, class and ability, drawing from established and innovative teaching methods and scholarship, and will collaborate with the wider community in pursuit of just and equitable ways of being.