The Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies examines advanced concepts relating to human identity, embodiment, and self expression. Students explore theories drawn from the fields of feminism, decolonialism, postcolonialism, LGBTQ+, race/whiteness, queer-of-colour, indigeneity, masculinities, and disability/crip studies among many others. Students engage with these topics from interdisciplinary perspectives and work toward applying these concepts, theories, and methodologies  to research in their home discipline.

Doctoral and master’s (thesis or course work and MRP) students wishing to undertake graduate studies with emphasis on Sexualities, Genders and Bodies will be admitted by a participating department and will register in both the participating department and in the collaborative specialization. 

The participating academic programs are Art History and Visual Culture (MA), European Studies (MA), Family Relations and Applied Nutrition (MSc, PhD), French Studies (MA), History (MA, PhD), Latin American and Caribbean Studies (MA), Philosophy (MA, PhD), Political Science (MA, PhD), Psychology - Applied Social Psychology (MA), and Social Practice and Transformational Change (PhD).

Administrative Staff

Director of Interdisciplinary Programs
Kimberly Francis (132 Johnson Hall, Ext. 52362)
kfranc02@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Adam Davies (Ext. 52421)
adam.davies@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Marie Ann O'Neill (128 MacKinnon)
artsidp@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

Admission Requirements

Master’s and doctoral students in the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies must meet the admission requirements of the participating program in which they are enrolled. In your application, please ensure that your statement of intent explains how your research ideas fit with the Sexualities, Genders, and Bodies specialization and how your background and interests will contribute to the vitality of the specialization.

All applications to participate in the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies will be reviewed by the specialization’s Graduate Curriculum Committee.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders, and Bodies, students will be able to do the following:

1. Critical and Creative Thinking
   1. Apply a critical reading of queer and feminist scholarship (with an eye to assumptions, and systemic biases within scholarship) to execute interdisciplinary research projects
   2. Incorporate theories and methodologies from inter- and multi-disciplinary perspectives in flexible, nuanced ways
2. Literacy
   1. Synthesize multiple theoretical perspectives, in primary and/or secondary sources, to formulate an original research question that addresses existing gaps or unresolved debates.
   2. Demonstrate a fluid understanding of the quantitative, observational, and qualitative research methods available for the study of sexualities and genders
   3. Apply a variety of research approaches—including sensory, technological, multimodal, participatory action, asset/strengths-based, traditional and non-traditional—to an interdisciplinary project of their design
3. Global Understanding
   1. Demonstrate a nuanced awareness of the geo-political and transformational systems that inform lived experiences of sex, gender, and sexuality through political, social, and cultural inclusion and exclusion
4. Communicating
   1. Communicate respectfully and inclusively throughout the research process (from inception to knowledge mobilization) in oral, written, and/or creative modalities to academic and non-academic audiences
   2. Apply a sophisticated understanding of the need to be self-reflexive, attentive to others (both their verbal and nonverbal cues), and aware of one’s own privilege, positioning, and potential biases (both overt and implicit) within the research process
5. Professional and Ethical Behaviour
   1. Collaborate and lead using respectful, inclusive, and self-reflexive processes that acknowledge academic integrity and ethical responsibilities
   2. Adapt to changing circumstances, both within and outside the discipline, and respond to needs for social, political, and cultural change in their communities

Master's Program Requirements

Master’s students in the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies must complete:

Whether completing a major research paper or thesis, students’ projects must place a substantial emphasis on content from within the study of Sexualities, Genders and Bodies. For thesis-based master’s students, at least one member of the student’s advisory committee must be a core graduate faculty member of the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies.

Requirements of this collaborative specialization may also serve as elective requirements in the student’s home program.

Doctoral Program Requirements

Doctoral students in the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies must complete:

Doctoral theses must place a substantial emphasis on content from within the study of Sexualities, Genders and Bodies. At least one member of the student’s advisory committee must be a core graduate faculty member of the Collaborative Specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies.

Requirements of this collaborative specialization may also serve as elective requirements in the student’s home program. 

Courses