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Feminist Institute of Social Transformation
(Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
1501 Dunton Tower
613-520-6645
carleton.ca/fist

This section presents the requirements for programs in:

Program Requirements


M.A. Women's and Gender Studies (5.0 credits)

Requirements - Thesis pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
2.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
4.  1.5 credits in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)1.5
5.  2.0 credits in:2.0
WGST 5909 [2.0]
M.A. Thesis
Total Credits5.0
Requirements - Research essay pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
2.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
4.  2.5 credits in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)2.5
5.  1.0 credit in:1.0
WGST 5908 [1.0]
Research Essay
Total Credits5.0
Requirements - Coursework pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
2.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
4.  3.5 credits in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)3.5
Total Credits5.0

M.A. Women's and Gender Studies
with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility (5.0 credits)

Requirements - Thesis pathway (5.0 credits):
1.  1.0 credit in:1.0
ACCS 5001 [0.5]
Critical Disability Studies
ACCS 5002 [0.5]
Accessibility and Inclusive Design Seminar
2.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
4.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
5.  0.5 credit in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)0.5
6.  2.0 credits in:2.0
WGST 5909 [2.0]
M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.0
Requirements - Research essay pathway (5.0 credits):
1.  1.0 credit in:1.0
ACCS 5001 [0.5]
Critical Disability Studies
ACCS 5002 [0.5]
Accessibility and Inclusive Design Seminar
2.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
4.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
5.  1.5 credits in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)1.5
6.  1.0 credit in:1.0
WGST 5908 [1.0]
Research Essay (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.0

M.A. Women's and Gender Studies
with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies (5.0 credits)

Requirements - Thesis pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
AFRI 5000 [0.5]
African Studies as a Discipline: Historical and Current Perspectives
2.  0.0 credit in:0.0
AFRI 5800 [0.0]
Scholarly Preparation in African Studies
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
4.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
5.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
6.  1.0 credit in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)1.0
7.  2.0 credits in:2.0
WGST 5909 [2.0]
M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.0
Requirements - Research essay pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
AFRI 5000 [0.5]
African Studies as a Discipline: Historical and Current Perspectives
2.  0.0 credit in:0.0
AFRI 5800 [0.0]
Scholarly Preparation in African Studies
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
4.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
5.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
6.  2.0 credits in additional course work chosen from available elective courses (see below)2.0
7.  1.0 credit in:1.0
WGST 5908 [1.0]
Research Essay (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.0

M.A. Women's and Gender Studies
with Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (5.0 credits)

Requirements - Thesis pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
LACS 5000 [0.5]
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies
2.  0.0 credit in:0.0
LACS 5800 [0.0]
Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
4.  1.0 credit in:1.0
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
5.  1.0 credits in electives1.0
6.  2.0 credits in:2.0
WGST 5909 [2.0]
M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.0
Requirements - Research essay pathway (5.0 credits)
1.  0.5 credit in:0.5
LACS 5000 [0.5]
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies
2.  0.0 credit in:0.0
LACS 5800 [0.0]
Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
3.  0.5 credit in:0.5
WGST 5900 [0.5]
Program Seminar
4.  1.0 credit in:1.0
WGST 5906 [0.5]
Feminist Theory
WGST 5907 [0.5]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
5.  2.0 credits in electives2.0
7.  1.0 credit in:1.0
WGST 5908 [1.0]
Research Essay (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.0

Elective Courses

Electives may be taken from a selection of courses offered outside the program in a related discipline, subject to the approval of the Graduate Supervisor.

Elective courses may include but are not limited to:
ANTH 5704 [0.5]Anthropology of the Body, Health, Illness and Healing
COMS 5509 [0.5]Gender, Sexuality, Culture
HIST 5803 [0.5]History of Women, Gender and Sexuality: Foundations
INAF 5003 [0.5]Project Operations in a Developing Country Context
INAF 5609 [0.5]Development Project Evaluation and Analysis
LAWS 5302 [0.5]Feminism, Law and Social Transformation
LAWS 6003 [0.5]Human Rights, Citizenship and Global Justice
PADM 5213 [0.5]Gender and Public Policy
PHIL 5304 [0.5]Tutorial in Selected Problems of Philosophy I
PHIL 5350 [0.5]Topics in Ethics or Political Philosophy
PHIL 5500 [0.5]Topics in Contemporary Philosophy
PSCI 5200 [0.5]Nationalism
PSCI 5202 [0.5]Development Theory and Issues
PSCI 5208 [0.5]Global Social Policy
PSCI 5209 [0.5]Forced Migration and Global Politics
PSCI 5210 [0.5]Politics and Popular Culture
PSCI 5407 [0.5]Reproductive Rights Policy in North America
PSCI 5506 [0.5]Gender and Politics
PSCI 5607 [0.5]Politics of North America
PSCI 6301 [0.5]Political Theory II
PSYC 5001 [0.5]Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology
SOCI 5308 [0.5]Decolonizing Feminist Analyses
SOCI 5404 [0.5]Race, Ethnicity and Class in Contemporary Societies
SOCI 5409 [0.5]The Politics of Social Movements and the State
SOCI 5809 [0.5]The Logic of the Research Process
WGST 5000 [0.5]Issues for Feminist Scholarship
WGST 5001 [0.5]Research Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies
WGST 5901 [0.5]Advanced Topics in Women's and Gender Studies I
WGST 5902 [0.5]Advanced Topics in Women's and Gender Studies II
WGST 5910 [0.5]Directed Studies
WGST 5911 [0.5]Directed Studies
WGST 5920 [1.0]Internship in Women's and Gender Studies

Progress through the program

The first year of study is essentially the same for all full-time students entering the program regardless of whether their intention is to pursue the Thesis, Research Essay or Course work option (the schedule for program completion for part-time students is in consultation with the unit).  All full-time students will be expected to complete the core feminist theory and methodologies courses in the first year.

At the end of the winter term of the first year of study, and in consultation with the Graduate Supervisor, full-time students will be required to declare their intention to pursue the Thesis, Research Essay, or Course work option. The deadline for this decision will normally be in writing on or before April 1st.

Thesis option

At the end of the winter term of the first year of study, all full-time students will be expected to submit a research proposal that has been approved by their Thesis supervisor. The deadline for submitting the proposal is April 28.

Research Essay option

At the end of the winter term of the first year of study, all full-time students will be expected to submit a research proposal that has been approved by their Research Essay supervisor. The deadline for submitting the proposal is April 28.  Students pursuing the Research Essay option will also be required to complete two additional half-course electives. Typically, these courses will be completed in the fall term of the second year.

Coursework option

Students pursuing the coursework option will be required to complete four additional half-course electives. Typically, these courses will be completed over the fall and winter terms of the second year.

Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) Courses

WGST 5000 [0.5 credit]
Issues for Feminist Scholarship
Selected issues based on the research expertise of the Instructor, designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the diversity of women's experiences within that issue. Critical issues related to race, class, gender and ability.

WGST 5001 [0.5 credit]
Research Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies
An examination of the Instructor's research focus (topics will vary from year-to-year) with respect to issues of feminist methodologies and epistemology related to developing and conducting feminist or women-centred research. The focus is interdisciplinary.

WGST 5003 [0.5 credit]
Traversing Feminisms
Interdisciplinary overview of key historical concepts in Women’s and Gender Studies in the areas of theory, epistemology, and research design. Topics will vary from year to year. The course provides additional background for students entering Women’s and Gender Studies from other disciplines.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the Institute.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as WGST 4003, for which additional credit is precluded.

WGST 5060 [0.5 credit]
African Feminisms
African feminisms as theoretical interventions and as political practice, and as diverse forms. Gender as a marker of power: status, hierarchy, social capability, and as a system of distribution of resources, responsibilities and solidarities.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Also listed as AFRI 5060.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as WGST 4060, for which additional credit is precluded.

WGST 5102 [0.5 credit]
Queer Theory
A critical approach to gender and sexuality by engaging in key debates and texts in the field of queer theory and studies.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing and permission of the institute.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as SXST 4102, for which additional credit is precluded.

WGST 5900 [0.5 credit]
Program Seminar
MA candidates are required to take part in a seminar in which faculty members and students discuss new work in the field, analyze current issues in Women's and Gender Studies, and pursue topics of professional development. Students will prepare their thesis or research paper.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Precludes additional credit for WGST 5905 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Institute.

WGST 5901 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Topics in Women's and Gender Studies I
The applications of gender to different fields of knowledge, cultural expression, and institutional regulation. Gender will be interrogated as it intersects with race, class, ethnicity, age, ability and cross-cultural perspectives.


WGST 5902 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Topics in Women's and Gender Studies II
Selected topics may include: gender, power and social inequalities; women's writing; gender history; gender, sexuality and music embodiment; race, gender and imperialism; gender, criminology and criminal justice; queer theory; transnational feminisms.


WGST 5906 [0.5 credit]
Feminist Theory
An analysis of contemporary feminist theoretical debates that provides students with competence in the application of a range of theoretical models, and an appreciation of their specific historical contexts and development.

WGST 5907 [0.5 credit]
Researching Women's and Gender Issues
Consideration of a range of research methodologies and approaches relevant to women's and gender studies. In particular, students will examine the impact of gender studies on epistemological and methodological issues in a variety of academic disciplines.

WGST 5908 [1.0 credit]
Research Essay
An examination of an approved topic in an area of specialization of either the Institute faculty or associated faculty from across the University. Students will have a supervisor and a second reader.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

WGST 5909 [2.0 credits]
M.A. Thesis
A substantial investigation of a topic in Women's and Gender Studies that will be determined in consultation with the Institute. Students will have a primary supervisor selected from within the Institute or from associated Faculty across the University. The candidate will be examined orally.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

WGST 5910 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies
Directed study on selected topics may be arranged with a faculty member or visiting scholar with the permission of the Institute. Students cannot accumulate more than 1.0 credit in directed studies towards their degree requirements.

WGST 5911 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies
Directed study on selected topics may be arranged with a faculty member or visiting scholar with the permission of the Institute. Students cannot accumulate more than 1.0 credit in directed studies towards their degree requirements.

WGST 5920 [1.0 credit]
Internship in Women's and Gender Studies
Experience in applied feminisms through a combination of classroom seminars and internship. Each project will be negotiated individually as a contract between the student, instructor and institutional partner. Students must complete both the in-class and the internship portion of the course.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the M.A. Women's and Gender Studies program.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as WGST 4801, for which additional credit is precluded.

Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.

Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Academic standing of B- or higher must be obtained in each course counted towards the fulfillment of the degree requirements. Candidates must also maintain a CGPA of 9.0 or higher and achieve Satisfactory or better on the M.A. thesis and its oral defence.

Admission

The minimum requirement for admission to the MA program in Women's and Gender Studies is a BA Honours degree in Women's and Gender Studies or related areas with high honours standing. Students who have completed a degree with a significant focus on gender and gender-related coursework from disciplines including Sociology, History, English, Philosophy, Anthropology, Canadian Studies and Political Science, for example, will be considered for admission to the program. Applicants without the requisite background may be required to take a maximum of 2.0 credits from designated courses at the undergraduate level in Women's and Gender Studies in addition to their normal MA program requirements.

Qualifying Year Program

Applicants without a B.A. Honours degree in Women's and Gender Studies but who have a three year degree with a Women's and Gender Studies major, minor or a degree in a related discipline with a minimum average of B+ will be required to complete successfully a qualifying year of full-time study, before proceeding to apply to the Master's program. At this time, the Institute will determine the student's eligibility to enter the program.

Accelerated Pathway 

The accelerated pathway in  Women's and Gender Studies is a flexible and individualized plan of graduate study for students in their final year of a Carleton B.A. Honours degree in Women's and Gender Studies.

Students in their third-year of study in the B.A Honours degree in Women's and Gender Studies should consult with both the Undergraduate Advisor and the Graduate Advisor determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses and Honours project supervisor for their final year of undergraduate studies.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements
  1. Two courses at the 5000-level with a grade of B+ or higher.
  2. Minimal overall CGPA of B+

Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of credit of up to 1.0 credit which can reduce their time to completion.