Gender and Sexuality Studies

Gender and sexuality shape virtually every aspect of our social relations, and contribute fundamentally to our sense of self.
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Why study Gender and Sexuality Studies?

Gender and Sexuality Studies was previously known as Women's and Gender Studies.

Dominant understandings of normal genders and sexualities are woven throughout society, while resisting those norms and reshaping those understandings contribute to ongoing social change.

Gender and Sexuality Studies, which is available as an undergraduate level minor, is an interdisciplinary subject that is concerned with all of these issues. Papers explore a wide range of topics, including media representations of gender and sexuality, medical constructions of the body, gender and development, the gendered division of paid and unpaid work, gender and public policy, gender, sexuality and technology, violence based on gender and/or sexuality, and difference and ethnicity.

Studying Gender and Sexuality Studies at Waikato offers specialised knowledge of gender relations and social change in relation to the media, health, paid and unpaid work, education, sexuality, social policy and the law.

Adding this subject to your degree will enable you to develop critical thinking skills, and prepare you to respond effectively to a wide range of social justice issues. Students who enjoy social sciences and history, and are interested in learning more about women’s and men’s roles in society today and in the past, will find the subject a stimulating addition to their degree, either as a minor or supporting subject.

Gender and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary subject. It goes particularly well with sociologysocial policyanthropologyeducation studiesgeographyhistorylaw and psychology.

There are employment opportunities for graduates with a good understanding in this area are within advocacy groups, government agencies, human rights organisations, non-governmental organisations and social services agencies.

Career Opportunities

  • Equal Employment Officer
  • Gender Consultant
  • Gender Development Project Coordinator
  • Human Resource Manager
  • Human Rights Advocate
  • Policy Analyst

Hamilton, Tauranga, Online

Gender and Sexuality Studies can only be studied as a minor subject. This can be taken in many of our undergraduate degrees at the University of Waikato, alongside your selected Major.

For more information about subject requirements, please refer to the Subject Regulations below for the most up-to-date information.

If you have any questions or need more advice, contact one of our friendly student advisors at phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080, or by email: alpss@waikato.ac.nz

Gender and Sexuality Studies papers

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