Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender Equality and Social Justice
Program Overview
The program aims to equip students with the critical thinking, research, writing, argumentation, analysis, and communication skills necessary to understand and address these complex social issues. Graduates of the program are prepared for diverse career opportunities in various sectors, including non-profit and community-based organizations, media and communications, government and policy, international organizations, health and welfare, research, and advocacy.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview: The Gender Inequality and Social Justice (GESJ) program is an interdisciplinary program that examines issues related to gender, race, class, sexuality, and disability. The program aims to equip students with the critical thinking, research, writing, argumentation, analysis, and communication skills necessary to understand and address these complex social issues.
Objectives:
- Examine the social and cultural construction of gender, sexuality, race, class, and disability.
- Understand how these social categories intersect with daily experiences, relationships, and quality of life.
- Analyze and critique systems of oppression, including colonialism, hetero-patriarchy, white supremacy, global/capitalism, religion, and anthropocentrism.
- Foster a sense of community and collective responsibility for creating a more just world.
Description: The GESJ program is designed for individuals passionate about social justice and interested in learning how to make the world a more just and better place. The program provides students with a broad liberal education in Humanities and Social Sciences. Students explore systems of power and inequality through a range of perspectives, including culture and criticism, power and inequality, and human rights and social justice. The program offers various opportunities to engage with social justice issues both in and outside the classroom, including conferences, workshops, film festivals, and other political and social events throughout the year. Students can participate in campaigns, attend lectures and panel discussions, and help celebrate key events on campus, like International Women's Week (IWW). The GESJ program offers students the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills, research and writing abilities, and communication expertise. They can also develop a deeper understanding of social justice issues and learn how to work with others to create a more equitable and just world.
Outline
Program Content:
- The program explores a wide range of topics related to gender equality and social justice, including:
- The social and cultural construction of gender, race, class, and sexuality.
- The intersections between these categories and social inequality.
- Systems of oppression, such as colonialism, global capitalism, and white supremacy.
- Strategies for social justice activism and change.
Structure:
- The GESJ program is offered as an Honours Specialization (HS), Specialization (S), Major (M), or Minor (m).
- Students can pursue the program as part of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.
Course Schedule:
- The GESJ program offers a wide variety of courses covering various topics related to gender equality and social justice.
- Students can select from courses in three streams:
- Culture and Criticism:
- This stream focuses on how media representations and social media reflect and influence social inequalities and transformations.
- Power and Inequality:
- This stream examines how institutions such as law, government, media, medicine, education, religion, and the economy produce inequalities based on gender, sexuality, race, economic class, and disability.
- Human Rights and Social Justice:
- This stream focuses on the gendered, raced, economic and geopolitical dimensions of human rights violations, explores human rights advocacy in specific local and global contexts and practices, and examines issues like war, peace, prisons, schools, museums, workplaces, sex work, development, human trafficking, torture, and everyday violence.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- The GESJ program utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:
- Essays
- Research papers
- Presentations
- Exams
- Class participation
Assessment Criteria:
- The specific assessment criteria for each course will vary depending on the instructor and course content. However, general assessment criteria may include:
- Critical thinking skills
- Research and writing abilities
- Communication skills
- Knowledge and understanding of social justice issues
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- The GESJ program utilizes various teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Guest speakers
Faculty:
- The GESJ program features a team of experienced and dedicated faculty members with expertise in various areas related to gender equality and social justice.
Unique Approaches:
- The GESJ program offers a unique and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing social justice issues.
- The program emphasizes critical thinking, research, writing, and communication skills, equipping students to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- The GESJ program prepares students for diverse career opportunities in various sectors, including:
- Non-profit and community-based organizations
- Media and communications
- Government and policy
- International organizations
- Health and welfare
- Research
- Advocacy
Opportunities:
- Graduates of the GESJ program are equipped with valuable skills and knowledge that can lead to diverse opportunities, including:
- Conducting research on social justice issues
- Developing and implementing policies to promote equality
- Providing direct services to individuals and communities affected by injustice
Outcomes:
- Graduates of the GESJ program consistently achieve successful outcomes, including:
- High employment rates
- Admission to prestigious graduate programs
- The Gender Equality and Social Justice Student Collective:
- A group committed to promoting social justice at Nipissing University and the North Bay community through social, political, and educational activities.
- The Equity Centre:
- The GESJ program also encourages international learning opportunities through study abroad programs and international exchange partnerships.
Overall, the Gender Equality and Social Justice program offers students the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to become agents of positive social change in the world. Specific program details, including course offerings and admission requirements, may be subject to change.
