Department of Gender, Religion, and Critical Studies

In our increasingly multicultural and interconnected world, it is essential to understand the changing diversity of human experiences…

The Department of Gender, Religion, and Critical Studies houses two distinct academic programs—Women’s and Gender Studies and Religious Studies—but that share the same goal in understanding such human experiences as shaped by a wide variety of intersecting factors: gender and religion, race, sexuality, class, ability, age, as well as economic, political, historical, and colonial structures.

Religious Studies (RLST)

Religious Studies (RLST) focuses on making sense of the symbols, motives, and beliefs for a huge range of human behaviours. Our courses teach you to analyze the ways in which people creatively fill the world with meaning. RLST prepares students for a future in a variety of fields including law, politics, teaching, business, healthcare, journalism, and social services. View Religious Studies courses.

Women's and Gender Studies (WGST)

Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) explores current and historical events, theories, and movements related to gender and sexuality, race and Indigeneity, class relations, and disability in order to build skills in gender-based analysis, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.  Our courses build skills in gender-based analysis, and equity, diversity, and inclusion in order to analyze local and global issues of equity and social justice.  WGST prepares students for success in teaching, law, social justice work, international development, and the health professions. View Women's and Gender Studies courses.

The department also offers a Certificate in Queer, Trans, and Gender Studies! For more information, Certificate Program