Last updated: March 20, 2003 @ 06:58PM

Women's Studies

Director
Roberta Robb, Department of Economics

Participating Faculty
Sharon Abbey (Education), Robert Anderson (Sociology), Barbara Austin (Management, Marketing and Human Resources), Sandra Beckett (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Kate Bezanson, Sociology, Kate Bezanson, Sociology, Judith Blackwell (Sociology), Maureen Connolly (Physical Education), June Corman (Sociology), Nancy DeCourville (Psychology), Ann Duffy (Sociology), Ann Marie Guilmette (Recreation and Leisure Studies), Jane Helleiner (Child and Youth Studies), Peggy Hutchinson (Recreation and Leisure Studies), Karen Krug (Environment), Anna Lathrop (Physical Education), Deborah Leslie (Geography), Ingrid Makus (Political Science), John Michielsen Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Merijean Morrissey-Clayton (Fine Arts), Joan Nicks (Communications, Popular Culture and Film), John Novak (Education), Donna Patrick (Applied Language Studies), Carmela Patrias (History), Esther Raventos-Pons (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Mary Frances Richardson (Chemistry), Marilyn Rose (English Language and Literature), Elizabeth Sauer (English Language and Literature), Susan Spearey (English Language and Literature)

Co-operating faculty from:
Applied Language Studies; Canadian Studies; Chemistry; Child and Youth Studies; Classics; Communications, Popular Culture and Film; Community Health Sciences; Economics; English Language and Literature; Environment; Education; Fine Arts; Geography; History; Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Music; Physical Education; Political Science; Psychology; Recreation and Leisure Studies; Sociology

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Barb Alexander

905-688-5550, extension 4330
Mackenzie Chown C331

The Centre for Women's Studies was approved by the Brock Senate in December 1990 and is dedicated to the memory of fourteen young women of the École Polytechnique whose death in 1989 dramatized the need for more understanding among women and men.

The combined major program in Women's Studies is designed for students who realize the value of interdisciplinary, cross-cultural approaches to learning and who wish to participate in a program whose subject matter and perspective are neither androcentric nor ethnocentric. The program offers to students a critical awareness of the importance of gender as an essential factor in cultural expressions, human relations and scholarly production.

Students are expected to develop the analytical skills to examine questions derived from feminist theories, as well as to evaluate scholarship that does not take this perspective into account. The program also encourages students to undertake self-generated projects in order to explore the validity of established theoretical frameworks as well as feminist alternatives.

The Centre for Women's Studies examines how gender influences both men and women. It encourages students to develop a critical perspective on assumptions about institutions, ideologies, history, human nature, science, language and culture. Women's Studies serves as an alternative to the traditional curriculum which tends to describe and analyse phenomena from an androcentric viewpoint. One of the strengths of the program is its diversity of perspectives in the critical examination of theoretical and empirical issues. Its ultimate aim is to further human understanding through exploring and respecting differences.

Although the primary objectives of Women's Studies are academic, the program also provides an environment supportive to women in the University and in the community at large. Hence, Women's Studies emphasizes the importance of women's perceptions and self definition. Because of the level of community interest in and support for Women's Studies, the program promotes activities and encourages research that benefits both the Brock community and women in the greater Niagara Region. It provides a forum for community issues of relevance to women and maintains a liaison with community organizations.

The academic program in Women's Studies is based upon a combined major with humanities, science or social science discipline. The interdisciplinary emphasis of the program encourages any combined major programs which are consistent with its academic objectives and the interests of students.

Students may be admitted to the BA honours program at any time. This program provides students with the opportunity for a more intensive examination of issues in the field than is offered in the pass degree program. The following course patterns are based on the normal combined major requirements: seven credits in each discipline plus six additional credits for an honours degree; five credits in each discipline plus five additional credits for a pass degree. Students enrolling in a combined humanities and WISE program will be required to complete one credit in a language other than English. Students should consult the co-major discipline department with respect to ancillary requirements.

Students will meet with the Director and with the Chair of the co-major discipline department at the end of the first year of study to ensure that the choice of courses meets the criteria for the combined major degree.

Program Notes
  1. If students are required to do an honours thesis in their co-major discipline they should contact the Director and the Chair of the co-major department to make alternative arrangements. Students are responsible for selecting their own adviser, preferably by the end of year 3. Students will work independently with their adviser to formulate and execute their thesis. Meetings of all students registered in WISE 4F90 will be held to facilitate completing the thesis projects. Two people will grade each thesis: the adviser and a designate of the Director.
  2. Students intending to pursue an honours degree should take WISE 2P90 and 2P91 in year 2.
  3. Students in the honours program are required to take seven credits from the core courses in Women's Studies, cross-listed courses or courses approved for credit.
  4. In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.

Honours Program

Year 1
·   WISE 1F90
·   one credit from the co-major discipline
·   one Science context credit (SCIE 1F30 or BIOL 1F25 are recommended)
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one elective credit
Year 2
·   WISE 2P90 and 2P91
·   WISE 2P92 or 2P97
·   WISE 2P96 or 2P99
·   two credits from the co-major discipline
·   one elective credit
Year 3
·   WISE 3P90 and 3P91
·   one WISE credit or one credit from the list of approved WISE courses
·   two credits from the co-major discipline
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   WISE 4F90 and 4P91
·   one-half WISE credit or one-half credit from the list of approved WISE courses
·   two credits from the co-major discipline
·   one elective credit

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Certificate Program

The Centre for Women's Studies also offers a Certificate in Women's Studies. It provides an overview for interested persons who already have a degree in a different field or who do not wish to proceed to a degree. It is of special interest to people working in a related field. The admission requirements are the same as for the degree program. Prospective students should consult with the Director before beginning the certificate program. The certificate is awarded upon completion of at least five credits in WISE with an overall average of 60 percent.
·   WISE 1F90, 2P90 and 2P91
·   WISE 2P92 or 2P97
·   WISE 2P96 or 2P99
·   two WISE credits or two credits from the list of approved Women's Studies credits

Departmental Offerings which are Approved Women's Studies Credits

CHSC 2P50
Aspects of Human Sexuality

COMM 2F92
Popular Narrative

COMM 3P96
Issues in Popular Culture

FILM 2F97
Canadian Cinema
(also offered as COMM 2F97)

POLI 4P06
Philosophy, Politics and the Family

RECL 3P23
Therapeutic Benefits of Humour
(also offered as CHSC 3P23)

RECL 3Q17
Qualitative Analysis
(also offered as TOUR 3Q17)

SOCI 3P83
Family Conflict and Violence