Gender and Sexuality Studies
Gender and sexuality shape virtually every aspect of our social relations, and contribute fundamentally to our sense of self.
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 sociology, social policy, anthropology, education studies, geography, history, law 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.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga, Online Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
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| Area of Study: |
Study Gender and Sexuality Studies in these qualifications
Study Gender and Sexuality Studies as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Equal Employment Officer
- Gender Consultant
- Gender Development Project Coordinator
- Human Resource Manager
- Human Rights Advocate
- Policy Analyst
Papers
Available Gender and Sexuality Studies papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNSEX101 | Gender and Sexuality: Representations and Realities | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| This paper considers issues related to gender, sexuality, and the body including health issues, media representations, gender based violence, and forms of resistance. | |||
| SOCIO101 | Introduction to Sociology | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and practices that enable an understanding of contemporary societies. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMYHE202 | Understanding Healthy Bodies: Sociocultural Perspectives | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| This paper develops a sociocultural understanding of healthy bodies. | |||
| GEOGY209 | Health, People, Place | 15.0 | 23B (Online) |
| This paper draws on critical analysis of health, people and place to introduce contemporary developments in socio-cultural geography. Attention is paid to spatial well-being at a range of scales. | |||
| MAORI200 | Mana Wahine | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines foundational aspects of mana wahine scholarship, the impact of colonisation on Maori and Indigenous women, and the resistant spaces negotiated by Maori women including their contributions to decolonisation. | |||
| SOCIO203 | Popular Culture | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| This paper offers a sociological perspective on historical and contemporary forms of popular culture. | |||
| SOCPY201 | Child Poverty & Social Policy | 15.0 | 23A (Online) |
| This paper develops students' theoretical understanding of social policy, focusing on the effects of child poverty. We examine how policy shapes and responds to poverty experienced by children and families. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDSOC303 | Education and Sexuality | 15.0 | 23B (Online) |
| A study of the ways childhood and adult sexuality is constructed, monitored and regulated in society and in educational settings. The major emphasis is on exploring sexuality through historical and sociological perspectives. | |||
| GEOGY309 | Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper is a forum for debate in critical geographies of difference. Key concerns are intersections between gender, ethnicity, nationality and other social divisions in relation to place and environment. | |||
| GNSEX303 | Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. It investigates micro and macro level experiences and the social construction of identities. In doing so, this paper looks at how power is distributed in society, the theories that... | |||
| HISTY300 | Gender in History | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| Gender in History examines the role of gender in society, culture, and the lives of individuals by introducing students to a range of historical case studies and methodologies. | |||
| HRMGT300 | Women and Management | 15.0 | 23G (Hamilton) |
| This paper analyses: 1) women's different employment experiences and career outcomes, 2) the implications of gendered employment outcomes, and 3) government and organisation initiatives designed to redress gendered employment outcomes. | |||
| PSYCH302 | Community, Culture and Diversity | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| The focus of this paper is the study of social justice, intersectionality, transformative interventions, and social change strategies that are central to community, indigenous and liberation psychologies. Issues covered include inequalities, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class and (dis)ability. Key considerations are the broader co... | |||
400 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGAL408 | Family Law | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| A focus on the law and social policies involved in the formation and breakdown of family relationships. The paper specifically examines the matrix of legislation and case law that underpin common family law disputes and legal proceedings in the Family Court. | |||
Subject requirements
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: [email protected]
Scholarships and prizes
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Subject links
Contacts
School of Social Sciences
Phone:
Email: [email protected]