Women's Studies at UVic

The University of Victoria is widely recognized as having one of the best undergraduate Women's Studies programs in the country. Women's Studies courses were first offered at UVic in 1979, in response to student demand; a Major Program leading to a BA in Women's Studies has been available since 1992. Today, students have a choice of Honours, Major and Minor Programs in Women's Studies, or may take one or more courses as electives.
The Women's Studies curriculum is designed to reflect new research and theories in this fast-growing field. The excellence and commitment of UVic Women's Studies instructors has been recognized with teaching awards and prestigious research grants. We are proud that we can offer our students courses based on a broad range of feminist knowledge, including: representation of Indigenous women in Canadian culture and cinema; women's health and wellness; feminist perspectives on popular culture; gender and international development; queer studies; the construction of masculinities; human rights; globalization; anti-racist education and activism; Canadian women's history; international trafficking in women and labour migration; gender and nationalism; gender, nation and war; participatory action research methods; the contemporary women's movement in India.

The Logo Story

The dancing women mandala is based on a traditional Japanese kimono crest. It is a symbol of women's creativity, spirit and solidarity. It was designed by Gail Chin in 1979 and slightly revised in 2003 by the Women's Studies Equity and Outreach committee as a way of highlighting diversity among women.

ws logo

 

Financial Aid

Student Loans are available for Women's Studies students who meet the requirements of the UVic Student Awards and Financial Aid office. Please see the Financial Aid office (Room A202, University Centre) or go to their website at http://registrar.uvic.ca/safa/ for more information. Students should be aware that Financial Aid will hear emergency appeals for funding if you are in need.
Women's Studies Bursaries are available to students with a declared Major or Honours program in Women's Studies. Bursaries are based on financial need. Fill in the In-Course Bursaries Application form, available at the Student Financial Aid office. Available bursaries include:
Women's Studies Scholarship: Women's Studies offers the Jane Glavin St. Peter Prizes for Academic Excellence in Women's Studies.

Work Study Positions

Work Study Positions are posted each fall in the Career Services office in the Campus Services Building. These positions are part-time and duties vary. Students may be asked to work on research for the department, develop skill-sharing forums such as workshops for other students, initiate and plan conferences, cultural events, etc. To be eligible for a Work Study position, a student must be a recipient of a Student Loan and have financial need beyond the loan but not below the total work-study contract wage. Check with the Student Financial Aid office for more information. Students are free to apply for Work Study positions in other departments as well. Career Services is also helpful in finding general work for students.

The Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-op

The Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-op can give Women's Studies students an opportunity to use their skills and knowledge in the workplace, helping to finance their education and building contacts for future employment. It may also provide a venue for trying out various ways of putting feminist theory into practice. The Co-op staff balances the needs of students with the demands of the employers. If you are accepted into the Co-op program, you may have a chance to work for a feminist organisation, if positions are available, but you may have to work for other types of employers as well. Any student interested in the Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-op program should contact the Co-op office at (250) 721-8841.

Contract Work

Contract Work for a professor is occasionally available through the department. Usually a student is hired on a research grant to assist the professor in her specific area of inquiry. This is an individual contract between the professor and the student. For more information see individual professors.