INTRODUCTION
Welcome to all new and returning students, staff and faculty. This Handbook contains the
basic information you need to know about the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and
Women’s Studies for 2012-2013.
This information can also be found on our website: http://www.yorku.ca/gradwmst/index.html
The Graduate Program office is run by Lindsay Gonder. The office is located in room 206G
Founders College and is open between 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., or as
posted. You can reach the office by phone (416-650-8143); E-mail (gpagfws@yorku.ca) or by
fax (416-650-3900). Please contact the Graduate Assistant for information about registration,
enrolment, degree requirements, petitions, deadlines etc. and other administrative matters.
The Handbook includes details about admission requirements, degree requirements, Program
regulations, financial information and the Program administrative structure. It is intended to
help you through the administrative steps of the program. If you find any of it confusing or
unhelpful, please let the Office know immediately so that we can revise it appropriately.
Please note that the information and regulations specified in this Handbook refer specifically
to Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. They compliment, but do not substitute for, the
Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar, which gives details about all the Faculty of Graduate
Studies regulations. We recommend that you consult the following websites for further and
related information:
The
Graduate
Program
in
http://www.yorku.ca/gradwmst.
Gender,
Feminist
and
Women’s
Studies:
The Graduate Women’s Studies Student Association (GWSSA): see GWSSA Handbook
The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS): http://www.yorku.ca/grads
For new students, the Handbook gives details about how to register at York and enroll into
courses. The Handbook includes a list of courses for 2012-2013. Students must register as
active with FGS and consult with their advisors (and/or the GPD) about their course selection
before they are able to enroll into any courses. Registration and Enrolment for the Fall term
begins June 1st, 2012 and continues until September 7th, 2012. Please note that there may be
changes to course offerings, times and locations right up until classes begin. For the most upto-date information on courses, deadlines and other program related information, please visit
the FGS website. Most program forms can now be downloaded from their website.
Best Wishes for a successful academic year from the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist
and Women’s Studies!
1
GENERAL DIRECTORY
EMERGENCIES – Security, Fire, Ambulance
416-736-5333 or x33333
Admissions Office
416-736-5000
3rd fl, West Wing, Bennett Centre
Alumni Office
416-650-8159
West Office Building (WOB)
Art Gallery, York University
416-736-5169
Accolade East Building
Bookstore
416-736-5024
York Lanes
Career Centre
416-736-5351
202 McLaughlin College
Centre for Academic Writing
416-736-5134
S329 Ross Building
Centre for Feminist Research
416-736-5915
611 York Research Tower
Childcare Centre (Co-op Daycare)
416-736-5190
Room 128, 90 Atkinson Road
Childcare Centre, Student Centre (Lee Wiggins)
416-736-5959
201 Student Centre
Convocation Office
416-736-5325
RO, Bennett Centre
Counseling & Disability Services (CDS)
416-736-5297
N110 Bennett Centre
CUPE Local 3903
416-736-5154
104 East Office Building (EOB)
Graduate Students’ Association - GSA
416-736-5865
325 Student Centre
Graduate Studies, Faculty of
416-736-5521
230 York Lanes
York International
416-736-5177
200 York Lanes
Legal Aid (CLASP)
416-736-5029
Osgoode Hall Law School
Lost and Found
416-736-2100 x33369
S107 Ross
Nellie Langford Rowell Library
416-736-2100 x33219
204 Founders College
Off-Campus Housing
416-736-5144
S172 Ross Building
Parking Services
416-736-5335
222 William Small Centre
Registrar's Office
416-872-9675
2nd fl, Bennett Centre
School of Women's Studies
416-650-8144
206 Founders College
Scott Library
416-736-5150
Central Square
Sexual Assault Survivors’ Support Line
Room B449
Student Financial Services
416-650-8056
4th Floor of the Student Centre,
416-736-5386
Bennett Centre
The Centre for Women and Trans People
416-736-2100 x33484
322 Student Centre
York Weather Emergency Hotline
416-736-5600
2
LIST OF FACULTY MEMBERS
ROOM #
E-Mail (@yorku.ca)
Tel #
PROFESSOR
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT
WMST and
Anna Agathangelou
Vijay Agnew
Pat Armstrong
Isabella Bakker
Shannon Bell
Kym Bird
Bettina Bradbury (Sabbatical)
Political Science
Social Science
Sociology
Political Science
Political Science
English
History
agathang@
vagnew@
patarmst@
icbakker@
shanbell@
kbird@
bettina@
736-2100/88840
736-2100/30153
736-2100/22550
736-2100/88842
736-2100/22552
736-2100/22476
416 487-6724
Pat Bradshaw
Organizational Behaviour/
Industrial Relations
Education
Social Science
Sociology
History
Ross S653
Ross N702
Vari Hall 2118
Ross S663
Ross S634
606 Atkinson
York Hall 263
(Glendon)
Schulich 332N
pbradsha@
schulich.yorku.ca
britzman@edu.ca
abunting@
sheila@
ecohen@
acrosby@
bcrow@
dalyt@
tdasgu@
aadavis@
derayeh@
sdion@edu.yorku.ca
prdoob@
edua@
rdunlop@
sehrlich@
embleton@
lerwin@
hoperoad@
sgavigan@osgoode.
yorku.ca
wgiles@
aglasbee@
estherg@
haigbro@edu.yorku.
rhm@
jhellman@
jjenson@edu.yorku.ca
judge@
mkadar@
jkainer@
evakarp@
kempadoo@
dkhayatt@edu.
mltaylor@
larrylam@
flatch@
blee@
736-2100/77919
brendalongfellow@uiowa.edu
(319) 335-3795
mluxton@
mandell@
736-2100/ 20933
736-2100/55148
Deborah Britzman
Annie Bunting
Sheila Cavanagh
Elizabeth (Libby) Cohen
Alison Crosby (Sabbatical)
Barbara Crow
Tamara Daly (Sabbatical)
Tania Das Gupta
Andrea Davis
Minoo Derayeh
Susan Dion
Penelope Doob
Enakshi Dua
Rishma Dunlop
Susan Ehrlich
Sheila Embleton
Lorna Erwin
Honor Ford-Smith
Shelley Gavigan
Communications Studies
Health Policy & Management
Social Sciences
Humanities
Arts & Letters
Education
Dance/English
CFR
Education
Lang., Lit. & Linguistics
Lang., Lit. & Linguistics
Sociology
Environmental Studies
Law
Winters 229
Ross S732
Atkinson 420
Vari Hall 2128
823 YRT
Ross S932
411 HNES
Atkinson 310
824 YRT
Atkinson 410
Winters 206
Stong 301F
607 YRT
337 Callumet College
Ross S540
561 S Ross
Vari Hall 2073
216 HNES
Osgoode Hall 2026A
Wenona Giles
Amanda Glasbeek
Esther Greenglass
Celia Haig-Brown
Ratiba Hadj-Moussa
Judith Adler Hellman (Sabbatical)
Jennifer Jenson
Joan Judge
Marlene Kadar
Jan Kainer (Sabbatical)
Eva Karpinski
Kamala Kempadoo (Sabbatical)
Didi Khayatt
Molly Ladd-Taylor
Larry Lam
Frances Latchford
Becky Lee (on leave)
Brenda Longfellow
Anthropology
Social Science
Psychology
Education
Sociology
Soc. Science/Pol. Science
Education
Humanities
Humanities
Social Science
Social Science
Education
History
Sociology
Sch. of Arts & Letters
Humanities
Fine Arts
851 YRT
S724A Ross
BSB 233
Winters 262
Vari Hall 2102
Founders 133
2001F TEL
Founders 144
Vanier 311
Ross S760
Founders 313
N703 Ross
Winters 258
Vari Hall 2136
Vari Hall 2098
720 Atkinson
Vanier 235
218 ABW
Meg Luxton
Nancy Mandell
CFR
Sociology
Founders 206D
Founders 225
3
/ Ext.
736-5002/88793
736-2100/20500
736-2100/22337
736-2100/66960
736-2100/33691
736-2100/40549
736-2100/30522
736-2100/66345
736-2100/33320
736-2100/30270
736-2100/88783
736-2100/736-5137
736-2100/20143
736-2100/30163
736-2100/33794
736-5280/88849
736-2100/33913
736-2100/22629
736-5558
736-2100/66340
736-2100/33749
736-2100/66282
736-2100/88786
736-2100/77989
736-2100/44087
736-2100/88787
736-2100/20593
736-2100/66926
736-2100/20545
736-2100/20490
736 2100/66940
736-2100/88758
736-2100/66968
736-2100/77995
736-2100/20460
736-2100/66988
Patricia McDermott
Kathryn McPherson
Gertrude Mianda (Chair)
Jacinthe Michaud
Allyson Mitchell
Social Science
History
Ross S731
Founders 142
Founders 206 K
Glendon YH 166
206E Founders
Haideh Moghissi
Radhika Mongia
Mary Jane Mossman
Sociology/Equity
Sociology
(Osgoode) Law
330 Atkinson
Vari Hall 2080
4063 Osgoode
David Murray (Sabbatical Winter 2013)
Janice I. Newton (Sabbatical)
Bobby Noble
Andrea O’Reilly
Linda Peake
Sarah Parsons
Alice Pitt (Dean, Faculty of Education)
Anthropology
Political Science
Social Science/CFR
Visual Arts
Education
312 Founders
S658 Ross
132 Founders
726 Atkinson
S771 Ross
CFA 245
Winters 242
Erin Ross
Amy Rossiter
Alexandra Rutherford
Leslie Sanders
Catriona Mortimer-Sandilands
Ann B. Shteir
Miriam Smith
Sharada Srinivasan
Marc Stein
Kate Sutherland
Penny Van Esterik
Leah Vosko
Lorna Weir
Gerda Wekerle
Agnes Whitfield
Sandra Whitworth
Psychology
School of Social Work
Psychology
Humanities
Environmental Studies
Humanities
Social Science, FLA&PS
Social Science, FLA&PS
History
(Osgoode ) Law
Anthropology
Social Sciences, FLA&PS
Sociology
Environmental Studies
English
Political Science
BSB 228
Kinsmen 2023
BSB 215
Atkinson 706
HNES 251
Founders 208
S735 Ross
Founders 315
Founders 234
OSGH 3027
Vari Hall 2030
YRT 618
Founders 310
Lumbers 350
Stong 208
741 YRT
patmcd@
kathryn@
swschair@
jmichaud@
mail@allysonmitchell.
com
moghissi@
rmongia@
mjmossman@osgoode
.yorku.ca
damurray@
jnewton@
bnoble@
aoreilly@
lpeake@
sparsons@
apitt@edu.
yorku.ca
ecross@
rositter@
alexr@
leslie@
essandi@
rshteir@
mcsmith@
sharada@
mrstein@
kates@
esterik@
lvosko@
lweir@
gwekerle@
agnesw@
sandraw@yorku.ca
PROFESSORS EMERITA
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT
WMST and
E-Mail (@yorku.ca)
PROFESSOR
Himani Bannerji
Naomi Black
Linda Briskin
Lorraine Code
Jane Couchman
Margo Gerwurtz
Joan Gibson
Thelma McCormack
Selma Odam
Sandra Pyke
Ester Reiter
Virginia Rock
Elizabeth Sabiston
Johanna H. Stuckey
Sociology
Political Science
Social Science
Philosophy
French/Multidis. Studies
Humanities
Humanities
Sociology
Dance
Psychology
Social Sciences
English
English
Humanities
himanib@
4
lbriskin@
codelb@
couchman@
mgewurtz@
jgibson@
thelma@
selmao@
spyke@
ereiter@
vjrock@
sabiston@
jstuckey@
736-2100/77828
7362100/66925
736-100/60554
736-2100/88356
736-2100/44086
736-2100/20842
736-2100/33913
736-5547
736-2100/40481
736-2100/88827
736-2100/20897
736-2100/60366
736-2100/33759
736-2100/77421
736-2100/55002
736-2100/33287
736-2100/66673
736-2100/33230
736-2100/66604
736-2100/70178
736-2100/20903
736-2100/33581
736-2100/22739
736-2100/33218
736-5041
736-2100/77782
736-2100/33157
736-2100/33198
736-2100/22636
736-5166
736-2100/46004
SESSIONAL DATES – 2012-2013
FALL REGISTRATION
June 5- September 5th, 2012
ORIENTATION – Hosted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
August 29, 2012
LABOUR DAY - University Closed
September 3, 2012
UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES BEGIN
September 5, 2012
GRADUATE CLASSES BEGIN - Fall Term
September 5, 2012
FALL READING WEEK – No classes
October 31-November 4, 2012
FALL CONVOCATION
October 11-13, 2012
THANKSGIVING - University Closed
October 8, 2012
**LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW - Fall Term half-course
November 9, 2012
GRADUATE CLASSES END - Fall Term
December 3, 2012
GRADUATE CLASSES BEGIN - Winter Term
January 2, 2013
**LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW - Fall/Winter full-course
February 15, 2013
FAMILY DAY – University Closed
February 18, 2013
WINTER READING WEEK - No classes
February 16-22, 2013
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
March 8, 2013
GRADUATE CLASSES END - Winter Term
April 8, 2013
GOOD FRIDAY – University Closed
March 29, 2013
SUMMER REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT BEGIN
March 1 2013
**Note: Students may withdraw from a course provided that not more than two-thirds of the course has
elapsed. After this time, students shall remain registered and will be assigned grades as appropriate. The
symbol (W) (withdrew in good standing) will be recorded in place of a grade to indicate that a student was
authorized to withdraw from a course in which they were registered [Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar,
5
Regulation 43].
PROGRAM DEADLINES – 2012-2013
FALL TERM:
Last day to submit Proposal for Directed Reading
Course to Program Office
Friday, September 9, 2012
Last day to hand in three unbound copies of
Thesis/Dissertation to FGS Thesis Office
Friday, August 31, 2012
Last day to hand in final copy of
MA Research Paper to the Program Office
Wednesday, September 14, 2012
FALL CONVOCATION
October 11-13, 2012
WINTER TERM:
Deadline for internal/external application to the
PhD Program
Friday, January 13, 2013
Last day to submit Proposal for Directed Reading
Course to Program Office
Friday, January 13, 2013
Last day to hand in final copy of
MA Research Paper to the Program Office
Friday, April 13, 2013
(or one month prior to Convocation)
Last day to hand in three unbound copies of
MA Thesis/PhD Dissertation to FGS Thesis Office
Friday, April 30, 2013
(or one month prior to Convocation)
SPRING CONVOCATION
June 2013 (exact date TBA)
SUMMER TERM:
Last day to submit Proposal for Directed Reading
Course to Program Office
Wednesday, April 13, 2013
Note: April 1st, 2013 is the deadline to apply online to convocate and to inform the Graduate Program office
of your intention to convocate in June 2013. All degree requirements, including final grades, must be met by
April 30th, 2013 in order to convocate in June. For up to date information on convocation, please visit the
York website.
6
FALL & WINTER 2012-2013 COURSE OFFERINGS
(Tentative Timetable)
Required Courses
Course
Code/Credit
Title
Instructor
Catalogue #
Time & Place
Term
**WMST 6007
3.0
Research Colloquium
(MA)
J. Newton
A36C01
F 11:30 – 14:30
FC 201
(This course meets
on alternate weeks
year-round)
F/W
J. Newton
K88M01
R 14:30 – 17:30
FC 201
F/W
Instructor
Catalogue #
Time & Place
Term
**WMST 6008
6.0
Feminist Methodologies
& Research Methods
(PhD)
Core Courses
Course
Code/Credit
Title
**WMST 6002
3.0
Feminist Theory
J. Michaud
Z00A01
M 14:30 – 17:30
FC 201
F
WMST 6111 3.0
(De)Colonizing
Research Methodologies
E. C. Haig-Brown
D46F01
M 17:30 – 20:30
WC 117
F
A. Rubenstein
A23X01
R 14:30 – 17:30
TEL 0008
F
WMST 6406 3.0
Issues in Comparative
Women's
& Gender History: Part II,
The 20th Century
**WMST 6503
6.0+
The History &
Development
of Feminist Theory
M. Luxton
H76B01
T 8:30 – 11:30
FC 201
F/W
**WMST 6005
3.0
Gender & Public Policy
B. Cameron
N42H01
R 10:00 – 13:00
FC 201
W
7
**WMST 6904
3.0
Critical Approaches to
'Race' & Racism
E. Dua
A94S01
M 11:30 – 14:30
FC 201
Elective Courses
Fall Term
Course
Code/Credit
Title
Instructor
Catalogue #
Time & Place
WMST 6113 3.0
Gender & the Construction
of Global Markets
I. Bakker
N98B01
T 8:30 – 11:30
MC 101A
**WMST 6123 3.0
Critical Sexuality
S. Cavanagh
R41D01
R 11:30 – 14:30
FC 201
WMST 6133 3.0
Gender & International
Human Rights: Law,
Citizenships & Borders
P. McDermott
U97D01
M 11:30 – 14:30
R S501
L. Vosko
K86N01
W 11:30 – 14:30
R S125
J. Michaud
V86A01
R 9:00 – 12:00
GH 115 (Glendon)
WMST 6207 3.0
The Political Economy of
Work & Welfare
WMST 6217 3.0
Feminism, Political
Citizenship & Collective
Activism
**WMST 6208 3.0
Women's Philosophies of
Sex
F. Latchford
U82G0
T 19:00 – 22 :00
FC 201
**WMST 6225 3.0
Feminism in Black Africa
G. Mianda
Z29P01
W 11:30 – 14:30
FC 201
WMST 6301 3.0
Feminist Issues in
Anthropology:
History & Current Debates
N. Adelson
P32X01
R 10:00 – 13:00
VH 2043
WMST 6504 3.0
Women & Development
TBA
T19C01
TBA
WMST 6505 3.0
Sex & Gender in Social
Theory
D. Brock
U44W01
F 14:30 – 17:30
R N836A
WMST 6509 3.0
Seminar in Psychoanalytic
Theory & Pedagogy
D. Britzman
T93N01
W 17:30 – 20:30
WC 283B
8
W
WMST 6801 3.0
Directed Reading
N/A
E06G01
N/A
WMST 6805 3.0
Health & Illness
P. Armstrong
B14S01
W 8:30 – 11:30
VH 1152
Elective Courses
Winter Term***
Course
Code/Credit
Title
Instructor
Catalogue #
Time & Place
WMST 6118 3.0
Gender & International
Relations
S. Whitworth
R68T01
T 8:30 – 11:30
VC 105
History of Sexuality in
North America & W. Europe
1600-2000
M. Stein
U11T01
R 14:30 – 17:30
MC 101A
WMST 6210 3.0
Girlhood
D. Williams
T13Q01
W 14:30 – 17:30
CC 335
**WMST 6214 3.0
Maternal Theory
A. O’Reilly
E35V01
W 11:30 – 14:30
FC 201
WMST 6403B 3.0
Selected Topics in Work
& Occupations
C. Lipsig-Mumme
N91X01
T 8:30 – 11:30
R S501
Directed Reading
N/A
U53Z01
N/A
WMST 6130 3.0
WMST 6801A 3.0
Please note: This course offerings list was produced as of July 2, 2012. Please check the York
University website at www.yorku.ca for the latest schedule.
Notes:
(+) Students taking this 6-credit course are credited with a 3-credit core course and a 3-credit
elective.
9
(**) These courses are offered and paid for by Gender, Feminist, & Women’s Studies, and
GFWS students have priority for spots in these classes. Courses that are offered by other
programs keep some spaces for GFWS students, but those spaces are limited.
(***) We hope to offer a Winter 3.0 credit course on Queer Affect Theory taught by Professor
Allyson Mitchell – to be confirmed.
GFWS COMMITTEES 2012-13
Executive Committee: (5 faculty, 4 students)
Faculty: GPD TBA
SGSWS Chair: Gertrude Mianda: mianda@yorku.ca
Allyson Mitchell: mail@allysonmitchell.com
Kate McPherson: kathryn@yorku.ca
David Murray: (July-Dec 2012) damurray@yorku.ca
Marc Stein: (Jan-June 2013) mrstein@yorku.ca
Past GPD:
Meg Luxton: mluxton@yorku.ca
Students:
Tanya Aberman: taberman@yorku.ca
Naomi de Szegheo Lang: langn@yorku.ca
Ela Przybylo: przybylo@yorku.ca
Nael Bhanji: bhanji@yorku.ca
Curriculum Committee: (3 faculty, 3 students)
Faculty: GPD
TBA
Alex Rutherford: alexr@yorku.ca
Janice Newton: jnewton@yorku.ca
Students:
TBA
Graduate Study Committee: (3 faculty)
GPD:
TBA
Susan Ehrlich: sehrlich@yorku.ca
Jacinthe Michaud: jmichaud@yorku.ca
Admissions Committee: (6 faculty, 4 students [2 on PhD sub-committee must be post comps])
MA sub-committee: Faculty:
Barbara Cameron, Chair: barbarac@yorku.ca
Eva Karpinski: evakarp@yorku.ca
Andrea O’Reilly: O’reilly@yorku.ca
Students:
TBA
PHD sub-committee: Faculty:
Students:
Frances Latchford, Chair: flatch@yorku.ca
Sharada Srinivasan sharada@yorku.ca
Celia Haig-Brown Haigbro@edu.yorku.ca
TBA
Awards and Prizes:
GPD:
TBA
Rusty Shteir: rshteir@yorku.ca
Ester Reiter: ereiter@yorku.ca
Program Seminars and Workshops Committee:
David Murray (July-Dec)
10
FGS Council:
GPD Jan-June
Faculty:
Students:
Patricia McDermott: patmcd@yorku.ca
Haideh Moghissi: moghissi@yorku.ca
TBA
*Note: The GWSSA selects students for the various committees at its September meeting each year. Some
positions are for two years.
THE PROGRAM: GENERAL INFORMATION
The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies offers an MA and PhD in
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies to full-time and part-time students. Our Program is
fundamentally interdisciplinary in formation and practice. One of our primary goals is to develop
and apply a feminist analytical perspective to teaching and research on women and gender as
they intersect with sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, ability, and age. A second goal is to provide
rigorous interdisciplinary training that provides students with the tools to enact social
transformation in theory and praxis and enables students to conduct research and analysis both
within and outside academia.
The Graduate Program draws widely from the humanities, social sciences, health, environmental
studies, fine arts, education and law. It has over 90 affiliated faculty members and typically
offers about 30 core, elective and cross-listed courses each year. There are about 100 students
enrolled in the Program.
The following 7 interrelated fields of specialization identify the research and teaching strengths
of the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies at York University.
The fields represent broad areas of interest in feminist research and all fields foreground the
intersections of women and/or gender/s with sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, ability, and age.
Subfields, specific issues and topics are listed within each field.
1) Cultural and Literary Studies, Performance and Fine Arts
popular culture and representations
writing and literature
literary studies
life writing and narrative studies
visual arts
cultural histories, theories and methodologies
2) Diaspora, Transnational and Global Studies
transnational feminisms and sexualities
international development
11
-
migration and immigration
globalization
colonialisms and imperialisms
violence, militarism and security
3) Histories
-
feminist histories
historical production of genders and sexualities
histories of women’s studies
histories of feminist theory
histories of racialization
histories of class and class analysis
4) Politics, Economies and Societies
- public policy
- feminist law and legal studies
- work and labour studies
- social institutions and social change
- education
- equity studies
- health and healthcare policies
- environment and nature
- language and linguistics
- political and social justice movements and social activism
- life course and aging
5) Race
6) Sexualities
-
anti racist theories
race, colonization, and post-colonial theories
anti-racist feminism
histories of racialization
whiteness and racism
sexualities and genders
lesbian, gay, queer and trans studies
transnational sexualities
historical production of genders and sexualities
heterosexualities
7) Theories and Methods
feminist theories and pedagogies
12
-
postcolonial theories
anti-racist theories
political economy
psychology and psychoanalytic theories
gay/lesbian, queer and trans theories
The Graduate Program is affiliated with the School of Women's Studies at York University. Over
200 faculty members offer 150 courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of
Women's Studies provides a base and resource for teachers, students, and researchers across the
York University community. In addition to undergraduate women's and sexuality studies
programs, the Centre for Feminist Research, the Nellie Langford Rowell Library, and the
quarterly journal Canadian Woman Studies/les cahiers de la femme are all affiliated with the
School.
Le programme gradué de l’École d’Études des femmes (GWS) souhaite accommoder les
étudiant-es francophones en faisant le nécessaire pour qu’elles/ils puissent écrire leurs travaux,
leur projet de recherche, leur mémoire ou leur thèse ainsi que leurs examens compréhensifs en
français. Ceci dépendra surtout de la disponibilité des membres de la faculté habilités à
l’évaluation de tels travaux. Les noms qui apparaissent dans la liste qui suit, comprend les
professeures qui se sont identifiées comme capables évaluer des travaux écrits et/ou de participer
à des examens oraux en français : Bettina Bradbury, Elisabeth Cohen, Ruth King, Gertrude
Mianda, Jacinthe Michaud et Miriam Smith. Veuillez prendre note que cette liste est
régulièrement mise à jour.
Program Name Revision
At the April 19, 2011 Program Meeting we voted to revise the program and degree name from
“Women’s Studies” to “Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies”. The change in program and
degree name to Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies reflects the growth and development of
the field and is the culmination of a multi-year review process, which included the revision of
our fields of specialization and our mission statement (completed in 2008-09), and the revision
of our core curriculum (in process, and scheduled to be completed in 2012-13). All students
who are currently enrolled in the program up to 2011-12 will graduate with a degree in
“Women’s Studies”. The class of 2012-13 will be the first whose Masters/Magisteriate and
Doctoral degrees will read, “Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies”.
Non-Sexist Language Policy
The Program is committed to using non-sexist language. This includes using the plural pronouns
they and them instead of she/he, hers/his. The result is grammatically problematic and
sometimes confusing but is part of our effort to create more gender-sensitive practices.
13
GFWS MA AT YORK – THE PROCESS
1. Courses
 WMST 6007 3.0 Feminist Research Colloquium
 1 core half course
 1 full course or equivalent
 (for degree by MRP) 1 full course or equivalent
2.Program Seminars (6)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Select option 3 or option 4 below.
3. Major Research Paper (MRP)










Select supervisor (must be a Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies faculty member)
Select second reader
Submit MRP Supervisory Committee to GPD for approval
Approval of MRP Supervisory Committee form
Submit proposal for approval (at least 3 months before expected completion)
Approval of MRP Proposal Form
Human Participants Research Form if appropriate
Approval of MRP Form
Bound copy of MRP to Program Office
MA Completed!
OR
4. MA Thesis


Select supervisor (must be a Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies faculty member)
Select Committee (2 members, 1 must be a Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies faculty
member)
14






Submit MA Thesis Supervisory Committee Approval Form
Submit MA Thesis Proposal Approval Form
Submit Human Participants Research Form
Confirm that all Supervisory Committee members consider thesis is ready to defend
MA Defense
MA Completed!
MAGISTERIATE/MASTER OF ARTS – GENERAL INFORMATION
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
An applicant for the MA must be a university graduate holding a degree based on four years of
undergraduate study with at least a B+ average (or equivalent). In the context of the Canadian system of
higher education, this means an Honours degree. For graduates from other jurisdictions, equivalency is
determined in accordance with legislation established by the Senate of York University. The grade point
average is assessed over the last two years (full-time equivalent) of study.
Faculty of Graduate Studies Degree Requirements
Students can complete their degree either by Major Research Paper or by Thesis.
Officially the MA is a one-year Program. Both full-time and part-time students have up to four years to
complete the degree. Full-time students who take more than two years must change to part-time for a
third and fourth year.
M.A. Degree by Major Research Paper
 Courses. Three full-courses (or equivalent) including WMST 6007 3.0 /Feminist Research
Colloquium, and one half-course chosen from the program-based core courses* offered by the
Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. The final selection of courses will be
determined in consultation with the faculty advisor and/or the Director of the Graduate Program in
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. With permission, one of the three courses may be chosen
from those offered by another Graduate Program. Typically, full time students will complete all the
coursework in the first two terms.
* Please see Core Courses page 23 for details
 The Program Seminars. All M.A. students are required to attend 6 of the Program seminars, usually
during the first year (see Program Seminars p. 23 for details).
Research Paper. The MA Major Research Paper (MRP) is equivalent to one full course. This
option suits a student who wants more course work, while still seeking the opportunity to pursue
one large piece of writing. It normally should take the equivalent of three months of full-time
15
work to write and ideally is completed during the third (summer) term. The MRP involves either
an original piece of research or analysis or a substantial review of research on a topic. Students
should aim for a MRP of about 50-75 pages in length. Typically, full-time students will
complete the MRP by the end of term three.
The MRP involves the following steps:
1.
The student selects a supervisor and second reader:
In consultation with the advisor and/or course directors and/or the Program Director, the student
selects an MRP supervisor (who must be a member of the Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies
faculty) and a second reader. When the committee has been formed, the student will submit an
“Approval of MRP Supervisory Committee” form to the program office. If the second reader is
not a member of the Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies faculty, the student must submit a
request explaining why the faculty member is appropriate, including a copy of the faculty member’s
CV, to the GPD for approval.
2.
Under the direction of the MRP Supervisor, the student develops an MRP proposal which
 includes a working title which can be refined/changed later and the student’s name
 identifies the supervisor and second reader
 defines the research question or questions, the goals, the thesis (the central point/argument) of
the paper and key terms
 provides a statement about the conceptual or theoretical perspectives informing the project
 outlines the organization/structure of the study – e.g., a tentative breakdown into divisions of
related ideas – sections or chapters with identifying headings
 describes the research methods
 comments on the suitability of the project to the interdisciplinary nature of gender, feminist and
women’s studies
 comments on the do-ability (the logistics) of the project in terms of availability of relevant
sources and resources
 presents a realistic work schedule including proposed beginning and completion dates
 lists a sample of the 12 most relevant bibliographic sources
 includes, if applicable, a completed Human Participants Research Form (download from
www.yorku.ca/grads/policies/ethics.htm)
Steps 1 through 7 should not require more than five single-spaced pages. When the Supervisor and
Second Reader deem the proposal acceptable, the student completes an Approval of MRP Proposal
Form and submits the form and the proposal to the Program Office normally three months before
the expected completion date. The proposal is reviewed by the Graduate Study Committee which
may ask for revisions.
Note: The student and the supervisory committee should make sure the proposal has been proof read
for grammatical and spelling errors and that it includes all the information required. Incomplete
proposals will be returned for corrections.
3. The student completes the MRP:
Once the supervisor and second reader indicate that the MRP has been approved, the student
16
completes an Approval of MRP Form and submits it to the Program Office.
4. The student submits to the Program office a copy of the MRP in a durable binder.
5. The Program Assistant completes the Convocation form and submits it to the Registrar’s Office,
which ensures that the student is placed on the next Convocation List.
Note: In planning the timing of their work and the submission date, students should take into
account the schedule of their supervisor and second reader and the dates for submission of names
for the Convocation at which they wish to graduate.
M.A. Degree by Thesis
 Courses. Two full-courses (or equivalent) including WMST 6007 3.0 Feminist Research
Colloquium, and one half-course chosen from the Program-based core courses* offered by the
Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. The final selection of courses will be
determined in consultation with the faculty advisor and/or the Director of the Graduate Program in
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. With permission of the Program Director, one of these
courses may be chosen from those offered by another Graduate Program. Typically full-time
students will complete all the course work in the first two terms.
* Please see Core Courses page 23 for details
 The Program Seminars. All M.A. students are required to attend 6 of the Program seminars, usually
during the first year (see Program Seminars p. 23 for details).
3. Thesis and Oral Examination. The MA Thesis is equivalent to two full courses. It has a more
formal supervisory process than the MRP and is governed by rules set by the Faculty of Graduate
Studies. It normally should take the equivalent of three months of full-time work to write and
ideally is completed during the third (summer) term, although many students take an additional
fourth term to complete the thesis. Students planning to complete their thesis during their third term
should have their committee selected and the proposal approved early in their second term. The MA
thesis should be based on original work and should demonstrate the candidate’s independence,
originality and understanding of the area of investigation. The thesis is about 100-150 pages,
rganized in an appropriate thesis form. Once it is completed, there is a formal oral examination
held in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations. See the FGS Regulations 27, 28 &
29 in the FGS Calendar for further details. Typically, full time students will complete the thesis at
the end of the third term, or the end of the fourth term.
The MA Thesis involves the following steps:
1. The student selects a thesis committee and supervisor:
In consultation with the advisor and/or course directors and/or the Program Director, the students are
17
responsible for the initial definition of their thesis topic and for identifying a Graduate Gender,
Feminist and Women’s Studies faculty member who is qualified and available to supervise their
thesis, plus at least two other committee members. The supervisory committee will normally be
formed by the beginning, and no later than the end, or the second term of study for the MA in the case
of full time students, or by the end of the fourth term of study in the case of part time students. When
the committee is formed, the student will submit an MA Thesis Supervisory Committee Approval
Form to the Program Office. If one member of the Supervisory Committee is not a member of the
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies faculty, the student must submit a request explaining why the
faculty member is appropriate, including a copy of the faculty member’s CV, to the GPD for
approval. The Supervisory Committee must be approved by the Graduate Study Committee and the
Dean of FGS. (This will normally happen before the thesis proposal is developed). Please see the
FGS policy on supervision “Graduate Supervisory Principles, Policies and Practices” available on the
web or in the FGS Handbook.
2. The Student writes a thesis proposal:
Since a Master’s thesis proposal must be approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies students should
adhere to the instructions described on the web at the following URL –
http://www.yorku.ca/grads/pub/pro.htm
Under the direction of the thesis Supervisory Committee, the student develops a thesis proposal which
i. includes a working title which can be refined/changed later
ii. defines the research question or questions, the goals, the thesis (the central point/argument) of
the paper and key terms
iii. provides a statement about the conceptual or theoretical perspectives informing the project
iv. outlines the organization/structure of the study – e.g., a tentative breakdown into divisions of
related ideas – sections or chapters with identifying headings
v. describes the research methods
vi. comments on the suitability of the project to the interdisciplinary nature of gender, feminist and
women’s studies
vii. comments on the do-ability (the logistics) of the project in terms of availability of relevant
sources and resources
viii.
presents a realistic work schedule including proposed beginning and completion dates
ix. lists a sample of the 12 most relevant bibliographic sources*
x. includes, if applicable, a completed Human Participants Research Form (download from
www.yorku.ca/grads/policies/ethics.htm)
Steps 1 through 7 should not require more than five single-spaced pages. When the thesis Supervisory Committee
deems the proposal acceptable, the student completes an MA Thesis Proposal Form and submits the form and
the proposal to the Program Office normally six months before the expected completion date. The proposal and
the composition of the Supervisory Committee are reviewed by the Graduate Study Committee and then
forwarded to the Faculty of Graduate Studies “not less than three months prior to the date set for oral examination
of the completed thesis.”
18
3. The student submits the proposal for approval:
The student and the student’s Supervisory Committee meet together to discuss the thesis proposal at
least once before the student submits it to the committee for approval (see p. 24 – Graduate Study
Committee).
At the Graduate Program Meeting of April 22, 2008, the following option (which is a voluntary process) was
passed: Students and their supervisors are invited to attend the Graduate Study Committee meeting at which
the student’s proposal will be considered. At that meeting, the student makes a short oral presentation, the
committee (having read the proposal ahead of time) asks questions, makes comments and gives the student an
opportunity to respond. If the student and supervisor wish, the supervisor, may also respond to the committee’s
questions and comments. The committee will notify the student and supervisor of their decision in writing
shortly after the meeting.
Note: students who prefer not to present their work orally may continue to submit proposals in writing and
receive written replies.
The committee and subsequently the Graduate Study Committee and FGS must approve the proposal.
4. The student submits the thesis:
The final thesis, which has a page limit of 100-150 pages, must be presented in appropriate thesis
form to the Program Office at least six weeks prior to the tentative defence date (not including
holidays). Consult the FGS Guidelines for the Preparation and Examination of Theses and
Dissertations for the details about the format and the composition of the Examining committee and
oral defence procedures for the defence. As the student begins the final version of the thesis, the
committee should meet to discuss possible dates and members for the defence for the examining
committee. The supervisor is responsible for contacting potential examining committee members and
negotiating both their participation and defence dates. Once the supervisory committee agrees that
thesis is ready for defence and that all the final revisions have been made, the student notifies the
Program Office. The supervisor organizes the examining committee according to FGS regulations.
This must occur at least six weeks before the proposed defence date. A check-list and package of all
required forms is available from the Program Office.
NOTE: The National Library has specified that an abstract for the thesis cannot be longer than 150
words. Any excess will be truncated when the National Library microfiches the completed work.
5. The student ensures that copies of the thesis are distributed to all members of the examining
committee so that they receive it at least 4 weeks before the defence. The supervisor ensures that all
paperwork, including the Recommendation for Oral Exam Form with the signatures of all
members of the Supervisory Committee is submitted to the Program Office. The Program Assistant
ensures that all paperwork is forwarded to FGS.
6. The supervisor confirms all arrangements (time, date, etc.) with the Examining Committee Chair,
outside examiner and, the Dean’s Representative. FGS sends out the official letter to all members of
the examining committee. The Program Assistant books the examination room, and makes
19
arrangements for any AV equipment required.
7. One week prior to the defence, the Program Assistant (on behalf of the Program Director) contacts
all members of the examining committee to determine whether they agree that the thesis is
examinable. The Program Assistant notifies the supervisor, the Program Director and FGS if there
are any problems.
8. The oral defence examines the candidate on the written thesis and on the performance during the
defence according to FGS regulations.
9. On successful completion of the defence, the student makes any revisions or corrections to the thesis
and submits it to FGS, with all necessary paperwork.
10. The Program Assistant ensures that the Convocation memo is completed and submits it to the
Registrar’s Office, which ensures that the student is placed on the next Convocation List.
GFWS PhD AT YORK – THE PROCESS
1. Courses
 WMST 6008 6.0 Feminist Methodologies and Research Methods
 1 core half course
 1.5 full courses or equivalent
2. Program Seminars (12)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
3. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS








Select Principal Supervisor and two other faculty members for Examining Committee;
Submit Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination Committee Approval Form to Program Office*
Prepare General and Specialised problematics and reading lists; Select written exam and/or course outline option;
Submit to Examining Committee, for approval, a one-page problematic and a reading list for each exam:
a) General Exam
b) Specific Exam
Once approved by committee, submit PhD Comprehensive Exam Problematics & Reading List form to
Program Office
Read for the Comps Exam
Submit to Examining Committee 4 page problematic discussion paper and questions/course outline for each exam:
1. General Exam
2. Specific Exam
Submit to Program Office the Request for GFWS Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination form (one month prior to
date of exam)
Oral Examination
Submit to Program Office the PhD Comprehensive Exam Evaluation form
20
* The Comps exam should be held about six months, and no more than one year, from the date the Comprehensive
Examination Committee approves the one page problematics.
4. Ph.D. DISSERTATION







Select a Principal Supervisor
Establish a Dissertation Supervisory Committee
Submit Approval of Dissertation Supervisory Committee form
Submit Dissertation Proposal, including Human Participants Research Form, for approval by the Graduate Study
Committee and subsequent approval by FGS
At least two months before the proposed defense date, contact the Program Office to ensure that all procedures are
followed
Ph.D. Defense
Ph.D. Completed
DOCTORATE/DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM – GENERAL INFORMATION
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Graduates with an M.A. degree or the equivalent from a recognized university, with at least a B+
average, and in a field of study relevant to graduate work in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies will
be considered for admission as Candidates for the Ph.D. degree.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must fulfill the following requirements:
i) Courses. Three full-courses (or equivalent) including WMST 6008 /6.0 Feminist Methodologies
and Research Methods/ and one half-course chosen from the program-based core courses.
Please see Core Courses (p. 23) for details. The final selection of courses will be determined
with the assistance of the designated faculty advisor and/or the GPD. With permission from
the program director, one full course or equivalent may be chosen from those offered by
another Graduate Program. Typically full-time students complete all course work
requirements within the first two years.
* Note: Students who have completed the core courses at York for an MA in Gender, Feminist and
Women’s Studies will be credited with the core courses for the Ph.D. and so can take three electives.
ii) The Program Seminar. All Ph.D. students are required to participate in 12 of the Program
seminars, usually during the first and second year (see Program Seminars p. 23 for details).
iii) Comprehensive Examination. Students in the Doctoral Program must demonstrate, by passing a
written and oral comprehensive examination, that they have both an overall command of
knowledge in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies and in their area of dissertation
specialization. The successful completion of the exam indicates that the student is qualified
to teach at the university level, in undergraduate introductory and overview courses as well
21
as in her/his own specific area and is ready to begin Ph.D. research. Typically, full time
students will begin their comps. in year two and complete their comps. by the 6th term (or end
of year two).
Note: For details about the Comprehensive exam, see Appendix 1.
iv) The Ph.D. Dissertation: Candidates must complete a research study and report the results in
appropriate dissertation form. The research and dissertation should demonstrate the
Candidate’s independence, originality and understanding of the field of investigation at an
advanced level. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination is held
in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations (see FGS Regulations p. 30-37;
Program Guidelines for Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal below for more details).
Note: For details about the Ph.D. Dissertation, see Appendix 2.
NOTE RE: FGS DEADLINES:
1.
A supervisor must be recommended by the appropriate graduate program director for approval
by the Dean of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the fifth term of study (end of second term of
PhD II). Students will not be able to register in the seventh term of study (the onset of PhD III) unless a
supervisor has been approved.
2.
A supervisory committee must be recommended by the appropriate graduate program director
for approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the eighth term of study (end of
second term of Ph.D. III). Students will not be able to register in the tenth term of study (the onset of
PhD IV) unless a supervisory committee has been approved.
22
CORE COURSES
Core Courses are intended to provide students with an overview of the field. They are designed to
introduce students to readings across the breadth of a topic, to a variety of approaches and a range of
areas. Students must take two different core courses from the following five: Theory, Methods, History,
Culture and Public Policy. As we now have a range of courses available, we have several options for
each core course field.
Theory
WMST6002 3.0 Feminist Theory
WMST6503 6.0 The History and Development of Feminist Theory (note that as this is a 6 credit
course, it counts as the equivalent of a 3 unit core course in theory and a 3 unit elective)
WMST6904A 3.0 Critical Theories of Race and Racism
WMST 6128 3.0 Queer Theory
Methods
WMST6004 3.0 Feminist Methodology
WMST6006 3.0 Qualitative Methods of Research
WMST6131 6.0 Research in Life Writing Texts [note that as this is a 6 credit course, it counts as the
equivalent of a 3 unit core course in theory and a 3 unit elective]
WMST 6111 3.0 De-Colonizing Research Methodologies
History
WMST6001 3.0 Women’s History
WMST 6405 3.0 Women’s and Gender History: Part 1
WMST 6406 3.0 Women’s and Gender History: Part 2
23
Culture
WMST6003 3.0 Women and Culture
Public Policy
WMST6005 3.0 Gender and Public Policy
Please note that only a selection of courses will be offered in any given year. Each year, the Director or the
Curriculum Committee may determine that a different, specific course may count as one of the core courses. Such
options will be listed with the course offerings for that year. No other exceptions are permitted.
Program Seminars
The Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies Program Seminars are intended to foster an
intellectual community among all members of the Program. All faculty, staff and students are invited to
take part. The seminars offer Program members a place to meet outside the classroom setting, to present
their work, and to engage with debates in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies, and to develop an
appreciation for the breadth of Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies.
M.A. students are required to attend a minimum of 6 Program seminars, of which four must be chosen
from among those designated by the Program as Program Seminars. Two may be seminars from other
venues.
Ph.D. students are required to attend a minimum of 12 Program seminars, of which eight of the twelve
required Seminars must be chosen from among those designated by the Program as Program seminars.
Four can be seminars from other venues.
The Program offers on average 8 Program Seminars each year. All seminars organized by the Centre for
Feminist Research, the Sexuality Studies Program, the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s
Studies and the Centre for Feminist Legal Studies count as program seminars. The Director may
designate other events as Program Seminars. Conferences sponsored by the Program or with significant
Program and/or School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies participation count as credit based
on the extent of the student’s involvement up to a maximum of 3 seminar credits. Students requesting
such credit will submit details in writing to the Program Director. To gain credit for outside seminars,
the student will indicate in writing to the Program Director that they have attended, giving a brief
rationale showing how this seminar fulfills the requirements (see paragraph one above).
The Graduate Study Committee
The Graduate Study Committee receives, reviews and approves proposals for Directed Reading courses,
Supervisory and Comprehensive Examinations committee membership, and MA theses and PhD
dissertations (see pg. 44 for the committee’s structure).
24
The function of the committee is to foster interdisciplinary scholarship and to make sure students get the
kind of supervision they deserve, that committee membership and proposals meet the GFWS and FGS
requirements, that committees are appropriate for the topics and that the proposals are ready to go
forward to FGS for potential approval.
All faculty and students are asked to note that proposals are professional documents. Once they
are accepted, they become part of the students’ files. They should meet professional standards.
The Graduate Study Committee will turn back for revisions or corrections proposals that do not
meet professional standards and supervisors are expected to ensure their students’ work is
appropriately proof read and corrected (for editorial problems, grammar and spelling errors,
theoretical and conceptual inconsistencies).
The committee meets on an ongoing basis to review MA thesis and PhD dissertation proposals. Students
have two options:
1.
They submit their proposal in writing and receive written comments in return; or
2.
They submit their proposal in writing, then they and their supervisor meet with the
committee. At that meeting the student makes an oral presentation, the committee (having read
the proposal ahead of time) asks questions, makes comments and gives the student, and if the
student and supervisor wish, the supervisor, an opportunity to respond.
PROGRAM REGULATIONS
PLEASE NOTE: The Program Regulations are a supplement to the Regulations of the Faculty of
Graduate Studies, which govern all graduate students, including those in the Graduate Program in
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies.
Students should familiarise themselves with the Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS
Calendar) and with the specific material on the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's
Studies. The sections in the FGS Calendar dealing with Fellowships, Assistantships, Scholarships,
Awards and Prizes and General Information provide much information as well. Copies of the FGS
Calendar are available from the FGS Student Services Office, 230 York Lanes. FGS is accessible on
the web at the following site: http://www.yorku.ca/faculty/grads/
Advisors
Each incoming student is assigned an initial academic advisor from the Faculty Members in Graduate
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. Faculty advisors assist students in planning their program and
in selecting courses. Faculty Advisors also work with students to complete the Report on Progress
forms each year. Advisors are initially assigned for a period of one year for M.A. students and two
years for Ph.D. students.
The faculty advisor will help students identify an appropriate supervisor for the M.A. Research Paper,
M.A. Thesis or Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam or Dissertation. Please refer to the relevant sections under
M.A. Research Paper/M.A. Thesis/Ph.D. Dissertations regarding the choice of a supervisor. Once a
supervisor has been identified, they will normally assume the mentoring role of the advisor and
25
complete the Reports on Progress.
NOTE: Students are free to change advisors or supervisors at anytime but should inform both
their former advisors or supervisors and the Program Assistant when they do so. Students should
always make sure they have an officially designated advisor or supervisor. When a faculty
member ceases to serve as an advisor, they must confirm this change in writing with the Program
Assistant.
Registration (See FGS Regulation 12)
Registration for the Fall/Winter Terms, 2012-2013 and enrolment in courses, start from May, 2012 for
continuing students. Incoming students will register after they have met with their assigned advisors.
A Student's advisor must sign the registration Advising Form prior to registration. Students should
make an appointment to meet with their advisor. When the advisor is not available for an extended
period, the Program Director should be consulted.
Students register three times during the academic year: in September for the Fall term, in
January for the Winter term, and in May for the Summer term. Continuous registration must
be maintained in all three terms. If degree requirements are not completed by May, students
must register for the following Summer term, whether or not they are using university services.
NB: IN EVERY INSTANCE WHEN A STUDENT DROPS OR ADDS A COURSE, THE
PROGRAM OFFICE MUST BE INFORMED, AND WHERE NECESSARY, APPROPRIATE
FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED. THESE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE PROGRAM
WEBSITE (http://www.yorku.ca/gradwmst/index.html).
Fees
Academic fees are determined by a formula set by the Province of Ontario. Any adjustments made by
the Province of Ontario to the formula fee schedule will result in adjustment to the University's
academic fees. The University will endeavour to inform the student community immediately upon any
such adjustment.
Fees are paid three times during the academic year as you register: in August/September for the fall
term, in January/February for the winter term and in April/May for the summer term. A Registration
Fee of $15.00 is charged for each of the three terms. You may have your fees deducted from your T.A.,
R.A., or G.A. salary. In cases of hardship, it may be possible to pay in instalments or to work out a
scheme for deferring fees. Sharon Pereira (230 York Lanes) is the person to consult. However, you
must remember to make your payments – no reminders will be sent. Consult the fee section of the
Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for further information, including the fee refund schedule.
Full-time or part-time status
Full-time and part-time status is defined in FGS Regulations 13 and 14. Students may register as fulltime for two years at the MA level and thereafter they must register as part-time (funding is guaranteed
only for one year). PhD students may register as full-time for six years. To change status outside of the
26
above times, a student must submit a petition to the Program for Director’s approval (certain eligibility
criteria will apply).
Restrictions related to full-time and part-time status
Full-time status is required in order to apply for Graduate Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships,
most scholarships, and York student apartments. Please note that the Graduate Program in Gender,
Feminist and Women’s Studies (thanks to some generous donors) has several awards specifically
designated for part-time students.
Time limits
The time limit established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the completion of the MA for either
full-time or part-time students is four years (12 terms) from the date of first registration in the MA
program. The time limit for both full-time and part-time Ph.D. candidates to meet the requirements of
the degree is six years (18 terms).
The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies expects students studying full-time for
the MA to be able to finish their studies in a minimum of one calendar year (3 terms) and not more than
two years (6 terms). Depending on the project, the MA by Thesis may take slightly longer to complete
than the MA by Research Paper.
Students studying part-time and full-time for the Ph.D. are expected to be able to complete the
requirements within five to six years (15-18 terms) of registration.
Leave of Absence and Maternity Leave
Please refer to the FGS website http://www.yorku.ca/grads/) regarding Leave of Absence, Maternity
Leave and Parental Leave.
All Leaves must be approved by the Dean or her/his designate. The student should discuss her situation
with her advisor and complete a Petition Form indicating reasons supporting the request for a Leave.
The request, signed by the student, must be submitted to the Program Director who will include her
recommendation and forward the request to FGS. When a Leave is granted, the date of return to the
Program is specified.
Withdrawal from the Program
Students may voluntarily withdraw from the Program and the FGS at any time by completing a
Program Withdrawal Form obtained from the FGS website and then selecting ‘forms’. Withdrawal in
"good standing" will not be granted if a student is carrying a grade of Incomplete. Students may petition
for re-instatement if they meet certain criteria. Further information is available in the Program Office.
Grades
Students should become familiar early in each course with the instructor’s expectations about deadlines,
collaborative work, referencing style, or the submission of the same or a similar paper for more than one
course.
There are five passing grades: A+, A, A-, B+, and B; one conditional grade: C; and one clear failing
27
grade: F. The Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar spells out the combination of C’s and F’s which
require withdrawal. If you run into difficulty in a course, you should seriously consider withdrawing
before the deadline.
If you consider your grade in a graduate course to be unfair, you should appeal it within the time limits
listed below:
Grade Due
Appeal grade by
Full Fall/Winter courses
Half Fall courses
Half Winter courses
Full Summer courses
Half Summer courses
Full Winter/Summer courses
May 15
January 15
May 15
September 15
September 15
September 15
June 15
February 15
June 15
October 15
October 15
October 15
This gives you four weeks after grades are officially due and ample time to find out your grade.
If you are appealing a grade you have received by removing an “Incomplete”, you have four
weeks from the date that appears on the Grade Memorandum. If you want to launch a grade
appeal, consult the Graduate Director for the correct procedure. You are encouraged to submit
an evaluation of each course you take. Course evaluation forms are returned to the Graduate
Program Office.
Incompletes (See Appendix 5 - Request for Grade of Incomplete Form)
Students should plan their work load to enable timely completion of their work, and should also be
aware that faculty members may not be available to grade work which is submitted late. Faculty
members should keep these regulations in mind when setting course requirements. Papers in a half
course should not normally exceed 20-25 pages, or in a full course 40-50 pages. Please note that these
are intended as maximums and not averages.
If necessary, students may opt to have a grade of “I” (Incomplete) initially recorded at the end of
scheduled courses. Such grades must be removed within 2 months for half courses and 4 months for full
courses. Incompletes are NOT advised. The Program discourages incompletes, since they disqualify
students from scholarships and tend to complicate and delay completion of program requirements. In
addition, incompletes are not allowed if you wish to take a leave from your studies. Faculty are
encouraged to design courses in such a way that the requirements can be normally completed within the
scheduled timeframe of the course, including the use of presentations, short papers, reviews and longer
papers that are integral to the conduct of the course.
In Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies, the submission of a grade of Incomplete for a
student must be accompanied by a Course Transaction Form signed by the student and the instructor.
The form must specify what work is left incomplete as of the end of term, why it cannot be completed
on time, and when it will be completed. Work must be submitted on or before the date agreed upon, and
in any case at least two weeks before the FGS deadline for removing the grade of Incomplete, to allow
time for grading and processing. Forms are available on the FGS website.
28
If you received a grade of Incomplete, you should note that the Dean’s Office treats Incompletes as
extensions. Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations require that a grade of Incomplete must be replaced
with a final grade as follows:
Incomplete must be replaced by Final Grade:
Fall Half courses
Winter Half courses
Summer Half courses
Fall/Winter Full courses
Summer Full courses
March 15
July 15
November 15
September 15
January 15
in Registrar’s Office
in Registrar’s Office
in Registrar’s Office
in Registrar’s Office
in Registrar’s Office
However, the Instructor may want shorter time limits. In order for your work to be graded, it needs to be
handed to the Instructor well before the above deadlines. When the incomplete extension period has
expired, you will receive an “F” unless you can make a solid case to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate
Studies on medical or similar grounds for what is in effect a second extension. These extensions are not
given liberally and you need the support of the Instructor and the Graduate Director.
Courses taken outside the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies
With the approval of the Program Director, students may take a maximum of 1 full-course, or 2
half-courses, which are not listed as WMST. Requests for approval must be submitted on the
forms available on the FGS website.
Guidelines for Directed Reading Courses
WMST 6801.03/06: DIRECTED READING (Half or Full Course)
Students have the option of taking a Directed Reading Course with a faculty member provided something
like it is not available in the current curriculum and provided it does not overlap significantly with a
course taken previously. Students are normally allowed one Reading Course during their entire graduate
programme in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies.
Guidelines for Directed Reading Proposals
The student should submit a typed proposal for a Directed Reading Course, including the
following information:
1.
State the title of the course and indicate whether it is a half or full course (.03 or .06)
[In order for the full title to appear on the transcript, the title must be limited to 30
characters, including spaces and punctuation.]
2.
Rationale and course description: Explain how the material forms a coherent focus of
study, and outline the objectives of your study. In cases in which the material resembles
that of a graduate programme course, you should explain how your reading programme
29
will differ from the course. When appropriate, the rationale should explain the critical
context in which the material will be studied.
3.
Schedule of meetings and submission of work: State the frequency and length of time
you and your course instructor will meet.
4.
Evaluation Methods: List the assignments as agreed upon with the instructor, e.g. the
number of written assignments and the length of each. The relative weighting of each
component of the grade should also be given. A typical course has a minimum written
component of about: 3.0 credit course: 25-30 pages, 6.0 credit course: 50-60 pages;
reading courses should have either written assignments of comparable worth or creative
work of a comparable total (the equivalent for creative work will be determined on a
case-by-case basis).
5.
List of Texts: List primary and secondary materials separately.
6.
The proposal must be signed by your course instructor and yourself.
7.
The proposal must be submitted to the Programme Director who will submit it to the
Graduate Study Committee for approval before the start of the course.
2012-2013 Programme Deadlines for submission of Proposals for Directed Reading
Courses to Programme Director:
for Fall Term:
for Winter Term:
for Summer Term:
September 15, 2012
January 13, 2013
May 10, 2013
(It is recommended that students submit proposals before May 8 for summer Reading
Courses in order to meet the summer registration deadline of May 8.)
Report on Progress
Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies students complete a Report on Progress in consultation
with their advisor/supervisor, and submit it to the Program Office. The Annual Report is due at the end
of April.
The Report on Progress exercise is meant to help students and advisors focus on timetables for
completion of work and on any obstacles to completion of work. It also ensures that Program records are
up-to-date.
Faculty, including advisors, supervisors and teachers, meet at least once a year at the end of the Winter
term to assess the progress of all students. For this meeting, the Program office prepares a list of all
30
students, which shows:

the student's current status

which requirements they have completed, including grades in courses

all requirements yet to be completed

the name of the student's advisor and the present members of the student's supervisory committee

any other relevant information
The meeting considers each student in turn, and asks advisors, committee members, supervisors, and faculty to
comment on the student's progress. Thereafter, the Director sends a letter to each student about her/his completed
and outstanding requirements, and about any concerns the Program may have about the student's progress,
supervisory arrangements, etc. Such letters may also express the faculty's respect for the student's work.
Petitions procedures (See Appendix 3)
Students may submit a petition if they wish to ask for reappraisal of a grade received on a piece of work
in a Program or cross-listed course; to petition for a Program requirement to be altered or waived; to
petition for a Program deadline to be changed; to make changes in the composition of their Supervisory
Committee once it has been approved by the Graduate Study Committee; to appeal a decision regarding
acceptance of their Major Research Paper; to appeal any other academic decision made by the Program.
Other requests may also be petitioned. Please see Program Assistant for more details. Petitions may be
granted on academic, practical, or compassionate grounds, depending on the situation.
Where appropriate, the student should first discuss the matter with the course director or
supervisor involved. The student may also discuss the matter with their advisor or the Program
Director.
If an informal solution cannot be reached, the student should consult the Program's Guidelines regarding
formal procedures for Academic Appeals; see Appendix (3). Students should also consult FGS
Regulation 47 regarding Academic Honesty and 48 regarding Appeals.
Supervision
Students and faculty members should refer to the FGS Graduate Supervisory Principles, Policies and
Practices which defines the supervisory relationship and sets guidelines for it. It can be found on the
Web at http://www.yorku.ca/grads/policies
Student files
We keep an open file in the Program Office which records student progress through the Program.
Everything in it is open to inspection by the student and faculty members. It should contain all materials
relating to the student’s academic progress, such as grades received, requirements met, courses currently
enrolled in, progress reports, copies of any formal correspondence, etc. It is important that this
information be kept up to date and it is the responsibility of students and advisors/supervisors to see that
it is, by reporting all changes to the Program Office and returning all requests for updates as quickly as
possible.
Students may also put in their files any material which forms part of their academic vitae: open letters of
31
recommendation, copies of papers written, details of activities at professional meetings, awards
received, and indicators or any special academic interests or skills. This material can be useful in all
sorts of situations: when the Graduate Director or a committee member is asked to write a letter of
recommendation, or when the Director is asked for the names of students qualified as Instructors,
Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants.
The confidential file, which is not open for student inspection, contains the materials relating to the
student’s admission to the Program.
Internal Applications to the PhD Program
Students currently enrolled in the MA Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies at York who
have the minimum qualification (a B+ average) may apply for admission to the Ph.D. Program. Current
students' applications will be assessed by the Admissions Committee at the same time as new
applications and will be considered equally with incoming applications for the available spaces in the
Ph.D. Program.
Current students will not, however, be required to apply through the Graduate Studies Admissions
Office. Application forms will be available through the Program Office and must be submitted by the
deadline of Dec. 15. Acceptance to the Ph.D. Program will be conditional on the completion of all MA
requirements by Oct. 31 of the year in which the student was admitted to the Ph.D. Program. Students
will have to submit a rationale to the Program Director, with written support from her/his supervisory
committee, for an extension of time beyond October 31.
Current students who expect to complete the MA in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies at York by
Jan. 31 of the following year may also apply for the Ph.D. Program for admission in Dec. This
consideration will be given to current MA candidates in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies at York
only who have not completed the requirements for the MA in time for Sept. admission. In such cases,
application should still be made through the Program Office in time for the Dec. 15 deadline.
Transfers from other graduate programs
Applications for transfer from other Graduate Programs will be treated in the same way as all other
applications. Students will submit an application and their cases will be discussed by the Admissions
Committee along with other applicants. If such a student is admitted to the Graduate Program in
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies, the Executive Committee may grant credit towards a degree in
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies for courses already completed at York which meet the Program
requirement.
32
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Full-Time student income
During the 2012-2013 academic year, Teaching Assistants will earn $12,307 for the time period
September 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. In Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies only full-time students
are eligible for Teaching Assistantships.
Teaching Assistants’ salaries are negotiated between the University and CUPE 3903. Please consult the
current collective agreement for details (http://www.cupe3903.tao.ca/).
Graduate and Research Assistantships are usually reserved for incoming M.A. students, but are awarded
in exceptional circumstances to others who are not in a position to be Teaching Assistants. Only fulltime students are eligible. Most run for two terms (8 months), but some are awarded for shorter periods.
A few advanced Ph.D. students teach courses at York or elsewhere, usually during the summer.
You may apply for SSHRC and OGS and CGS awards, usually in October. Application forms can be
33
found online at the SSHRC and OGS websites. The Program strongly encourages and advises on such
applications.
Part-Time student income
As a part-time student you are ineligible for most Teaching Assistantships, Graduate and Research
Assistantships and Scholarships; but otherwise there are no restrictions on the amount and sources of
your income. Please note that the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies has
several awards/bursaries for part time students.
Graduate Assistantships (GA)
Full-time students are eligible for a Graduate Assistantship. Graduate Assistants, assigned to affiliated
faculty or organizations at York, generally assist the research of a faculty member, or work with a York
feminist organization or another organization at York from September to April, for 10 hours a week for
a total of 270 hours. For 2012-13, Graduate Assistants will receive $9,525. The specific assignment of
duties is generally made after registration. Most incoming MA students are assigned Graduate
Assistantships. Some continuing students are assigned GAs as well.
Research Assistantships (RA)
Faculty members who have research funds from external agencies may hire graduate students to assist
them. The Program Office provides information and makes suggestions, where appropriate.
Teaching Assistantships (TA)
(CUPE 3903-Unit I): Most full-time Ph.D. students can reasonably expect continuing support from
Teaching Assistantships. TAs generally lead tutorial groups in undergraduate courses. Many students
[MA 2, Ph.D. students] in the Program have obtained TA-ships particularly in the undergraduate
Divisions of Humanities and Social Science.
Assistantships are paid monthly over the period of appointment and are paid directly into the students’
bank account on the 25th of each month (on Friday if pay day falls on a Saturday and on Monday, if pay
day falls on a Sunday) from September to April. Please be prepared to give details of your bank
account, along with a void blank cheque.
Students who are interested in obtaining a Teaching Assistantship must apply directly to each
undergraduate department or division for which they would like to be considered. To apply for a
Teaching Assistantship for summer 2013 and/or Fall/Winter 2012-2013, students must submit general
[blanket] applications by January 31, 2013. A separate application, including a current CV, has to be
submitted to each Department or Division in which students are applying for a TA. Students are
encouraged to apply to as many Departments or Divisions in all the Faculties, including Atkinson
Faculty. Graduate WMST students are asked to give the Program Office a list of the units to which they
have applied, along with their C.V., to assist us in helping students to find appropriate TA positions, and
to inform us when they have been assigned a TA.
Students should not assume that they will be rehired in a course in which they taught in the previous
34
year. They should enquire as to the situation in their current course and should also submit blanket
applications to various other Departments/Divisions by January.
The application forms are generally available in the Graduate Student Lounge (202D Founders College),
or can be obtained from: http://www.yorku.ca/hr/documents/index (CUPE 3903 Unit 1 Blanket
Applications).
The following are University-wide scholarships, bursaries and related funds. Notices about
application deadlines and how to apply will be sent out to all students at the appropriate time.
Fee Bursaries: A fund is available to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the Fall/Winter, and Summer
terms to assist students who may face additional financial difficulty meeting fee payments. Students
will be notified when applications forms are available in late Fall and early Spring.
Fieldwork Costs Fund: A program of funding for MA and PhD students to defray the cost of
thesis/dissertation research which must be carried out in the field. Applicants must meet certain criteria
to apply, including an approved thesis or dissertation proposal on file in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Development Fund: The Graduate Development Fund is administered by the Faculty of
Graduate Studies, Scholarships and Grants Committee. The purpose of the fund is to help subsidize
students' travel costs to a recognised academic event where they present their scholarly or creative work.
There are two funding periods each year. The Spring funding period covers events taking place from
May 1st to December 31st; the Fall funding period, from December 1st to April 30th. Students are
informed when application forms are available in the Program Office, generally in February and
September each year.
Susan Mann Dissertation Scholarship is awarded by the Faculty of Graduate Studies to encourage and
assist outstanding students in the final year of doctoral study to concentrate exclusively on their
dissertations. Students must meet certain criteria to be nominated by the Program for this award.
The Provostial Dissertation Scholarship is awarded by the Faculty of Graduate Studies to
encourage and assist outstanding students in their final year of doctoral study to concentrate
exclusively on and complete their dissertations. This award is designed to assist students
financially and with a faculty facilitated, peer-reviewed dissertation completion writing
workshop. It substitutes the research-funding component of other dissertation awards with a
writing workshop focused on dissertation chapter completion. Supervisory committees play a
role by committing to review their own students’ work, adhering to a mutually agreed-upon and
realistic schedule.
Research Costs Fund: The Research Costs Fund is funded by CUPE 3903 representing Teaching
Assistants. The Fund is administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The Fund helps subsidize
students' own research expenses that are above and beyond those costs that are typically associated with
graduate work, such as travel to sources of research, payment of subjects, supplies, services,
photocopying, etc. All full-time registered graduate students who are members (past and present) of
CUPE 3903 are eligible for a grant. Master's students should note that Doctoral students take priority.
35
There are generally two competitions each year, in the Fall and Spring. Students will be informed when
application forms are available in the Program Office, usually in September and February.
SSHRC and OGS: Outstanding students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, and other grants for
which they may be eligible. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
and the Province of Ontario offer Fellowships (OGS) for which students are encouraged to apply.
Graduate students in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies have a high level of success in these
competitions. Application forms for these scholarships are generally available in the Faculty of
Graduate Studies Office, 230 York Lanes.
The following are Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies scholarships, bursaries and related funds.
They have all been donated to give financial support to students in the Graduate Program in Gender,
Feminist and Women's Studies. Please note that awards funded by the Ontario Student Opportunities
Trust Fund require students to demonstrate financial need as well as a strong academic standing. Many
are only available to Ontario residents, Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Notices about
application deadlines and how to apply will be sent out to all students at the appropriate time.
The Encouragement Bursary
A retired faculty member established this award to encourage thoughtful study. The recipient will be a
deserving graduate student continuing study in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. This award is an
alternate year award offered on even years beginning in 2000. The recipient must demonstrate financial
need.
The Doris Anderson Graduate Scholarship
This fund was set up to honour the life and work of Doris Anderson. As editor of Chatelaine Magazine
for 20 years, Doris Anderson tackled many new and controversial issues for Canadian women during the
1960’s and 70’s across the country. The Doris Anderson Graduate Scholarship in Feminist Research is
offered each year to a full or part-time Graduate Student in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who
is doing research in the field of advanced feminist studies. The applicant must also demonstrate
financial need and must have been awarded an OGS.
The Doris Anderson Research Fellowship
This fund was set up to honour the life and work of Doris Anderson. As editor of Chatelaine Magazine
for 20 years, Doris Anderson tackled many new and controversial issues for Canadian women during the
1960’s and 70’s across the country. The Doris Anderson Research Fellowship is offered each year to a
Graduate Student in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies presenting a feminist research paper in
appropriate forums, either in Canada or abroad.
The Doris Anderson Canadian Bursary
This fund was set up to honour the life and work of Doris Anderson. As the pioneering feminist editor
of Chatelaine Magazine for 20 years in the 1960’s and 70’s, Doris Anderson transformed the traditional
“women’s magazine” into a vibrant national vehicle, advocating for women’s equality rights. Her work
continues to be an inspiration to all who cherish justice and equality. The Doris Anderson Canadian
Bursary is offered each year to a full-time or part-time Graduate Student in Gender, Feminist and
36
Women’s Studies who studies at York University but whose permanent address is outside of Ontario.
The applicant must also demonstrate financial need.
Ethel Armstrong Bursaries
The intention of the Ethel Armstrong bursaries is to give financial and moral support to full-time or parttime doctoral students enrolled in the Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies Program in
memory of a remarkable woman. The criteria for the Bursaries are financial need and strong academic
standing.
The Ethel Armstrong Bursary for Students With a Physical Disability:
This award is designated for one or more students with a physical disability. Preference will be given to
a student majoring or minoring in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies in second, third, fourth year, a
Master's Program or a Doctoral Program. Preference will be given to female students.
The Sherill Cheda Graduate Scholarship
A number of donors have established this award in memory of Sherill Cheda. She was a feminist,
librarian, cultural naturalist, political activist, founding member of Toronto’s New Feminists and had a
lifelong love of books, learning, the arts and was devoted to improving the lives of women. The Sherill
Cheda Graduate Scholarship will be awarded to an incoming graduate student in the Graduate Program
in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies whose research addresses current issues facing women. All
domestic and international students are eligible for consideration. Recipients must have a minimum “A-”
average.
The W. Jean Fewster Bursary
This award has been established to encourage a focus on communications and/or international
studies within the Graduate Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies Program and will be
extended to a deserving graduate student who is completing research in this area. The criteria
include financial need, and recognized achievement and talent or promise.
The Karen Hadley Memorial Award
The Karen Hadley Memorial Award will be given to a graduate student in the School of Women’s
Studies who is in good academic standing and whose focus of research is women and employment
(research on women and work or women and the economy will also be supported). Recipients must
demonstrate financial need, must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, and be
residents of Ontario.
The Louise H. Mahood Award
The purpose of this endowment is to provide support for Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies
students at York University. It is hoped that with financial support the candidate can contribute to their
education by serving on committees, collectives or boards within the University. This award is
designated to a graduate student in the Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies Program with a minimum
of a B grade point and demonstrated financial need.
37
The Jerilyn Manson-Hing Bursary
This award is given in honour of the memory of Jerilyn Manson-Hing by her friends and family to
provide financial support for a deserving graduate student in the Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies
Program at York University. Preference is given to a student working in the area of women and health
from an anti-racist and non-sexist perspective.
The Beverly Mascoll Award
This award is available to students in the School of Women’s Studies. Recipients must be Ontario
residents and demonstrate financial need.
The Thelma McCormack Prize
The Thelma McCormack Prize is awarded to a student enrolled in the Graduate Program in Gender,
Feminist and Women’s Studies for one of the two best essays or projects completed for a Graduate
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies course during a given academic year. The nomination may be
made by students and faculty.
The Helena Orton Scholarship
This scholarship is open to a student undertaking either full-time or part-time thesis graduate studies at
Osgoode Hall Law School or in the School of Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies, whose graduate
work will explore the relationships between law and social equality. Preferences will be given to
candidates committed to studying workplace issues of benefit to women. Students who would like to be
nominated for the Helena Orton fellowship should submit an application to the Graduate Gender,
Feminist and Women's Studies office. Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of academic
achievement and demonstrated commitment to equality issues.
The Sandra Pyke Conference Fellowship
The fellowship contributes to the costs of students enrolled in the Graduate Program in Gender,
Feminist and Women’s Studies who are presenting papers at conferences or serving as the
organizer and/or Chair of a conference session. It is intended to cover expenses (including
accommodation and registration fees) associated with conference presentations, and is meant to
supplement funding awarded to graduate students from other sources. Students are expected to
have applied to, and received, funding from the FGS Graduate Development Fund, the Graduate
Students’ Association, or other specified funding sources.
The Margaret R. Bursary
The funding"of this bursary has been donated in memory of a remarkable woman in order to give
financial support to students in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies at York
University. Students must demonstrate financial need and a strong academic standing in order to be
eligible for the bursary.
The Virginia Rock Prize
The Virginia Rock Prize is awarded to a student enrolled in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist
and Women’s Studies for one of the two best essays or projects completed for a Graduate Gender,
Feminist and Women’s Studies course during a given academic year. The nomination may be made by
students and faculty.
38
The School of Women’s Studies Bursaries
These bursaries were established by the School of Women’s Studies to assist graduate Gender, Feminist
and Women’s Studies students in financial need. The graduate bursary is designated for one or more
students registered in the Master’s or Doctoral Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. All
recipients must be Canadian citizens/permanent residents, Ontario residents and must demonstrate
financial need.
The sections in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar dealing with Fellowships, Assistantships,
Scholarships, Awards and Prizes and General Information provide much information as well.
Award
Approximate Application Approximate date of
Deadline
results
Fee Bursaries
Summer: mid-May
Fall/Winter: mid-October
late June
early December
Fieldwork Costs Fund
February 8
end of March
Graduate Development Fund
Spring: end of February
Fall: early October
late June
early December
President’s Dissertation Scholarship
April 17
early May
Graduate Fellowships for Academic
Distinction
April 17
early May
Research Costs Fund
Spring: mid-March
Fall: mid October
late March
late November
SSHRC and OGS
Early-mid November
mid-April
July 31
February 1*
mid-September
mid-March
Bursaries
Ethel Armstrong Bursaries
Ethel Armstrong Award - Student
with a Physical Disability
Encouragement Bursary
W. Jean Fewster Bursary
Louise H. Mahood Bursary Fund
Jerilyn Manson-Hing Bursary
Margaret R. Bursary
Helena Orton Scholarship
Sandra Pyke Conference Fellowship
Thelma McCormack Prize
Virginia Rock Prize
The Doris Anderson Graduate Scholarship
The Doris Anderson Research Fellowship
The Doris Anderson Bursary
July 31
mid-September
July 31
mid-September
July 31
mid-September
July 31
mid-September
July 31
mid-September
July 31
mid-September
Fall: Dec 15*
Spring: April 30
July 31
July 31
Deadline corresponds with that of OGS applications
April 30*
July 31
* These deadlines act as guidelines only and are subject to change with any new school year. Make sure to confirm the
deadlines with the Program Assistant to keep updated with any changes.
39
Financial allowances for MRPs, MA Theses and Ph.D. Dissertations as agreed to in the CUPE
contract (Article 15.07)
“Upon request by any full or part-time York graduate student who is a member of the bargaining unit or
who has been a member of the bargaining unit and who submits her/his Master’s thesis/PhD dissertation
for defense, or where permitted by a graduate Program, submits a Major Research Paper instead of a
Master’s thesis, the Employer shall grant such an individual up to $200 towards the cost of the final
form of her/his Major Research Paper or up to $300 towards the cost of production of the final form of
her/his Master’s thesis, and, where applicable, up to $400 towards the cost of production of the final
form of her/his Doctoral dissertation, on receipt of an invoice substantiating costs incurred.”
Application forms for MRP reimbursements are available in the Program Office, and from the Thesis
Secretary, FGS, for thesis/dissertation reimbursements.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Graduate Women's Studies Student Association (GWSSA)
Students in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's studies are members of the
Graduate Women's Studies Student Association. The GWSSA chooses the Program's representatives to
the Graduate Students' Association and the student members of Program Committees, and brings
students in the Program together for academic and social events, information sharing and reports by
GWSSA representatives to Program committees, to the G.S.A., etc. Meetings will be held at locations
as announced via e-mail. Watch for notices in your mailboxes. For further details, refer to GWSSA
40
Constitution available in the Program Office or from GWSSA.
Student Room and Computer Facilities
The Graduate WMST Program Graduate Study Lounge and Computer Space in room 202D
Founders College. These rooms are available to all students for study, relaxation and meetings. The
computer space contains four computers which are for the exclusive use of WMST students. They are
connected to e-mail and the Internet. The rooms are also equipped with wireless internet. There are also
a printer and scanner. The GWSSA supplies the ink and paper for the printer. The rooms are secured by
a locking device; the code is available from the Program Assistant.
TO ALL USERS:
Please note that software has been installed that prevents files from being saved on these computers, so
please bring a USB KEY or DISK for saving your work. Do not save to the desktop, as each night the
desktop will be cleared of saved files.
Also available is the graduate student reading room, in Scott library (4th floor). This is
equipped with 122 seats at tables, in carrels and as lounge seating. The room is fully covered by
AirYork wireless network and all tables have YorkNet connections and electrical outlets. There
are six computers and a printer with payment by standard York University Library print/copy
card. The tables are equipped with reading lamps. An electronic noise reduction system has also
been installed in the room. The room is fully accessible to graduate students with
disabilities. This room also requires an access code, which you can get from the Program
Assistant or through the library staff.
E-mail and Computing Services
All York students are required to obtain an electronic mail account through the University. These
include accounts for E‑mail and access to the Internet, access to the central UNIX academic cluster
(Phoenix), access to the Steacie computing labs and to the York modem pool. The Steacie computer
labs are equiped with approximately 200 Pentiums or PowerMacs. These facilities are open seven days
a week, twenty‑four hours a day, and are available to all students.
Computing and Communications Services [CCS] offers all students a Web account that allows them to
create personal web pages for their academic work or to present their own ideas and interests. For
further information, contact the Computing Services Help Desk, T128 Steacie, 736-2100, ext. 55800.
Note: All official communications from the Faculty of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Program
Offices or any other University office will only be sent to official York University e-mail addresses. If
the graduate student has not yet opened up his/her York University e-mail account, and because of this
misses the information being communicated, the responsibility will rest with the student. (Schulich
students are exempted from this as they have a system in place for required e-mail accounts.) Students
will be expected to check their York account on a regular basis to see if they are in receipt of official
communications. Again, if graduate students do not check their e-mail accounts regularly, the
responsibility will rest with them.
To activate your York e-mail account go to the York Home page (www.yorku.ca), then click on
“Current Students,” then click on “My Mail” on the left side of the screen and then follow the prompts.
41
Student Mail
Student mail is available in the Student Area, Room 202E Founders College. Each student will have a
mailbox there for receiving communications from the Program as well as internal and other mail. The
room is secured by a locking device; the code is available from the Program Assistant.
Note: All official communication from the Program Office to students is by e-mail. Please let the
office know if you cannot get access to your e-mail so we can make other arrangements.
Student Business Cards
Students who want cards must get permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies via the GPD. Cards
must clearly identify the holder as a student and should not look like faculty cards.
Sessional Cards/YU Cards
Please be advised that all York students now receive the YU-Card on a routine basis. As a result,
the Registrar's Office will no longer produce York sessional validation cards. Students are
required to show two pieces of ID when arranging for their YU-Card including government
issued photo identification. Therefore, the new YU-Card is available for use in all academic
settings including exams. As an aside, the Chief invigilator of any particular exam is free to
request other identification if they wish. Students are also using the card to access orientation
events, meal plans, sport and recreation facilities and at various other vendors on campus. For
further information, please visit the Web site: http://www.yorku.ca/yucard/.
Centre for Feminist Research (CFR) (611 York Research Tower)
All graduate students in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies are automatically Research Associates
of the Centre. On graduation, students may continue that status by requesting a letter confirming that
status from the CFR.
The Nellie Langford Rowell Library (204 Founders College)
The Library subscribes to almost 100 women’s, feminist and feminist, gender and women’s studies
periodicals and has substantial numbers of issues of other, often short-lived magazines and newsletters.
It also houses a considerable collection of ephemera related to women, the women’s movement,
feminist, gender and women’s studies and feminism. The book collection is over 18,500 and steadily
increasing.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies depends, for its ongoing activities and
for innovative actions, on Committee participation from faculty members and students. Members may
be nominated to Committees by either students or faculty or may nominate themselves. Faculty
members of Committees are selected by the faculty members of the Program and student members are
selected by the Graduate Women's Studies Student Association (GWSSA).
42
Program Meeting






Normally meets twice a year.
Receives the Director's Report
Receives a Report from the GWSSA
Receives written Reports presented by the Chair of each Standing Committee, at least once a year
Approves major Program changes proposed by Standing Committees
At the spring term meeting, elects members to Standing and Special Committees from a slate
prepared by the Executive Committee. Nominations are accepted from the floor if the candidate has
agreed to allow her/his name to stand.
 Discusses any matters of interest to the Program
Membership:
 all faculty appointed to the Program
 all Program staff
 5 elected voting student members with 5 alternates, and as many non-voting student auditors as wish
to attend.
Chaired by the Program Director or designate
Quorum: 10% of faculty and 3 students
Executive Committee - Meet as required (usually once a month).
 Receives reports from other Standing Committees and ensures communication among
Committees when necessary
 Receives and responds to reports from the GWSSA
 Prepares and approves the Agenda and all motions for the Program Meetings
 Approves MRP, MA thesis, PhD Comps and PhD Dissertation Committees when one member is
not a member of the Program
 Proposes new faculty appointments to the Program and recommends them to FGS
 Advises the Director on matters outside the jurisdiction of other Standing Committees
 Strikes ad hoc working committees as required
 Prepares a slate of nominations for all Committees with elected members
 Assists the Director in the OCGS Program Appraisal
Membership:
 Program Director
 Chair of the School of Women's Studies
 3 other faculty members
 4 students
(Note: In the first year of the term of a new Program Director, the former Program Director may serve as an exofficer, non voting member of the Executive Committee to aid in the transition period.)
Chaired by the Program Director
Length of term: 2 years; no more than 2 consecutive terms
43
Chairs of Standing Committees receive Agenda materials for Executive Committee meetings, are
welcome to attend any meetings, and are expected to attend or to send a representative when a Report
from their Committee is being discussed.
Standing Committees are responsible for decision-making and proposals within their jurisdictions. The
Executive Committee may make suggestions to Standing Committees about proposals they are
preparing. In case of disagreement, the wording approved by the Standing Committee is presented to
the Program Meeting.
Admissions Committee
Meet as required. Admissions exercise February - April.
The Admissions Committee has two sub-committees, one for the MA applications and one of the PhD
applications.
 Reviews applications for admission
 Ranks applicants
 Recommends applicants for admission to M.A. and Ph.D. programs
 Allocates entry scholarships, and other entry awards to incoming students
 Each year solicits a report from GWSSA re: concerns they have about admissions policy, research
interests, equity, etc
 Makes recommendations to the Executive on issues relating to recruitment, admissions, funding,
student numbers, etc.
 Makes recommendations to the Program Director re: initial advisor for incoming students
Membership: MA sub-committee:
 3 faculty members
 2 students
Chaired by a faculty member chosen by the committee.
Length of term: 2 years, no more than 2 consecutive terms.
Membership: PhD sub-committee:
 3 faculty members
 2 PhD students who have completed their comps. exam
Chaired by a faculty member chosen by the committee.
Length of term: 2 years, no more than 2 consecutive terms.
Note: student members do not review and rank the files of current WMST MA students applying to the Ph.D.
Program.
Curriculum Committee
Meet as required. Course offerings decisions are made in early October/November.
 Prepares the course offerings plan for each year, taking into account the academic plan for the
44
Program and available resources as determined in consultation with the Chair of the School of
Women's Studies.
 Develops curricular initiatives, including soliciting and evaluating proposals for new courses and
cross-listed courses and reviewing existing offerings, including Core Courses and makes
recommendations to the Executive.
 Approves new courses and cross-listings
 Is responsible for periodic course evaluations
Membership:
 Program Director
 2 faculty
 3 students
Chaired by a faculty member elected from the membership
Length of term: 2 years, no more than 2 consecutive terms
Graduate Study Committee
The meeting schedule and deadlines for submitting material to this committee will be announced at the
beginning of each academic year. The deadline for submitting material will be approximately two
weeks before the meeting date, to allow for verification and duplication of material and circulation to
committee members.
 Receives, reviews and approves committee composition, PhD Comprehensive Examination, and
Ph.D. dissertation committees
 Receives, reviews and approves proposals for M.A. theses, major research papers, and Ph.D.
dissertations
 Receives and approves proposals for Directed Reading courses
 Receives and decides upon petitions for alterations to Program requirements
 Facilitates the formation of supervisory committees, where necessary
Membership:
 Program Director
 2 faculty
Chair: elected from the membership
Length of Term: 2 years, no more than 2 consecutive terms
Awards and Prizes Committee
Meet as required. (OGS and SSHRC rankings in November.)
 Ranks candidates for Thesis and Dissertation awards
 Assesses and ranks applications for SSHRC, OGS and other awards (e.g., Dean's Excellence
Scholarships, President's Dissertation Scholarship)
45
 In consultation with the GWSSA, develops policy recommendations relating to the Graduate
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies Fund for the Executive
 Assesses and selects recipients for Program prizes and fellowships.
Membership:
 Program Director
 2 faculty
Chair: elected from membership
Length of term: 2 years, no more than 2 consecutive terms
Program Seminars, Events, and Workshops Committee
Meet as required.
 In support of Program requirements and in consultation with the Curriculum Committee,
organizes 8 Program seminars each year
 Receives proposals for visiting speakers and makes recommendations to the Program Director
 Receives requests from other Programs and units about co-sponsoring events, and makes
recommendations to the Program Director and/or the Chair, SWS
 Organizes professional development workshops
 Develops ideas for conferences and initiates planning
 Organizes other academic events to enhance the intellectual life of the Program.
Membership:
 2 faculty
 2 students
Political Action Committee
Meet as agreed upon by Committee members.
 Organizes and coordinates political activities around issues relating to the Program
 Liaises with groups inside and outside York
 Initiates lobbying efforts on behalf of the Program wherever concerns may arise.
Membership:
 Open
 Committee members will choose a Convenor at the beginning of each academic year.
(Approved at the Program Meeting, January 30, 1998. Revised July 7, 1999.)
Council of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies is entitled to the following
representation:
 the Director of the Program
46
 one other faculty members
 one student member
GLOSSARY
FGS
GPD
SSHRC
TA
GA
RA
CUPE
CGS
OGS
GPA
MRP
CFR
SWS
GWSSA
GSA
GFWS
WMST
OCGS
RO
OSFS
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Graduate Program Director
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Teaching Assistantship
Graduate Assistantship
Research Assistantship
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Canadian Graduate Scholarship
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Graduate Program Assistant/Grade Point Average
Major Research Paper
Centre for Feminist Research
School of Women’s Studies
Graduate Women’s Studies Student Association
Graduate Student Association
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies
Women’s Studies (still used as course designation)
Ontario Council of Graduate Studies
Registrar’s Office
Office of Student Financial Services
APPENDIX 1
Procedures for Comprehensive Examination Requirement
In the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies
47
Program Requirements
Students in the Doctoral Program must demonstrate, by passing a written and oral
comprehensive examination, that they have both an overall command of knowledge in Gender,
Feminist and Women's Studies and in their area of dissertation specialization. The successful
completion of the exam indicates that the student is qualified to teach at the university level, in
undergraduate introductory and overview courses as well as in their own specific area. It also
indicates that the student is ready to begin a dissertation.
What is the Comprehensive Examination?
Graduate education at the doctoral level invariably includes at least three elements or stages
which are academically evaluated:
1. Learning new, advanced knowledge
2. Synthesis and mastery of knowledge across broader fields than covered by individual
courses; and
3. Acquisition of research skills and the application of those skills in an original
contribution to knowledge.
The first is typically accomplished through course work and individualized supervision while the
third is accomplished primarily through the doctoral dissertation. The demonstration of the
second is some form of examination beyond those of individual courses: a comprehensive,
qualifying or field examination.
The comprehensive exam challenges students to examine and synthesize a body of theory, and
related empirical research. Comprehensives combine breadth, depth and synthetic ability,
without necessarily entailing exhaustive knowledge of the field. Students are expected to
demonstrate a broad understanding of the major theoretical perspectives in the field and of key
debates. Comprehensiveness also requires good knowledge of the alternative approaches to
relevant empirical research, key findings and their interpretation in relation to theoretical
approaches and gaps in current research.
The purpose of the comps is to:
1. Provide an opportunity to bring a lot of material together and think it though in a coherent
way;
2. Ensure students have a shared acquaintance with the field of GFWS as it has developed;
3. Prepare students to review a body of literature and relate it to proposed research projects;
4. Prepare students to research and teach in GFWS.
5. Prepare the students for academic jobs, first by preparing them for interviews: esp two
popular job interview questions: how would you teach an introductory GFWS course?
what would you teach in an upper level feminist theory course? and second, by preparing
them to teach a variety of undergraduate courses.
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The Comprehensive Exam Process: Overview and Timeline:
Month 1-2: Select Committee and Draft 1-Page Problematics and Reading Lists
Month 2-3: Start reading and Finalize 1-Page Problematics and Reading Lists
Month 4-5: Read
Month 6: Continue readings and Draft 4-Page Overview/Course
Month 7: Continue readings and Finalize 4-Page Overview/Course
Month 8: Written Exam
Month 9: Oral Exam
We encourage students to complete course work by the end of the Winter of year 1 (term 2) and
to do the comps over the three terms of year 2. However, students often do their comps over a
different period, depending on when the courses they want to take are offered, their own
workloads, the availablility of committee members and other reasons. The timeframe outlined
here is recommended but not required. Students and their committees may arrange a different
schedule.
It can take several weeks or longer to set up a committee. Students should be consulting their
advisors during the Spring of year 1 (term two) for suggestions about which faculty members
might be appropriate and should be ready to approach potential committee members during term
two so that they have a committee in place as soon as they are ready to start the comps process.
Students should be sure to allow time for the supervisory committee to read and comment on
(several) drafts and for the student to make revisions as often as required. Depending on faculty
schedules, committees need at least 2-3 weeks, and often more, reading time at each stage.
Students start the comps exams as soon as they have completed course work or as they are
completing it*, typically in the summer of year one (term 3) or the fall of year two (term 4).
Once the committee is set up, the comps exam process itself takes about six months and is
normally completed by the end of year two (term 6).
*Students cannot write their comprehensive exams until all coursework is completed; however,
they may undertake steps i, ii, and iii below while completing coursework.
The comps process, typical timefrrame, and actions required are outlined briefly below. A more
detailed explanation of each step follows. The comps exam process works at the program level
(not FGS) so only the supervisory committee and the Grad Study and/or GPD are involved.
Students and their committees can negotiate the topics, timeframes, frequency of meetings and
other details to suit them.
i. selecting a committee: Winter/Summer year one (terms 2 or 3):
In consultation with the advisor, the student selects a Comprehensive Examination Committee,
49
begins drafting the problematic or overview statement for both the general and specific comps,
and submits the PhD Comprehensive Examination Committee Form to the Program Office
for approval by the Grad Study Committee (or the GPD acting on their behalf).
ii. preparing the problematics and reading lists: Summer year one/Fall year two(terms 3 and
4):
In consultation with the committee, the student develops a one page overiew statement/ the
problematic and the readings lists for each of the General and the Specific exam. Once the
committee has approved the final statements and lists, and agreed on the format and timeframe,
the student submits the PhD Comprehensive Examination Problematics and Reading Lists
Form with copies of the overview statements and reading lists to the Program Office.
iii. studying for the comps: Fall/Winter/Summer year two (terms 4, 5, 6):
The student reads the material selected. The supervisor maintains regular contact with the
student, and the committee meets as decided. Ideally the full committee meets twice during the
study period to discuss the material.
iv. preparing for the exam:Winter/Summer year two (terms 5 or 6):
The student prepares two 4 page summary statements and two sets of sample questions OR one
4 page summary statement, one set of questions, and one course outline. Once the committee
has agreed the summary statements and sample questions/course outline are acceptable, the
student submits a Request for PhD Comprehensive Examination Form to the Program Office.
The form must be submitted one month before the exam date.
v. the written and oral exams: Winter/Summer year two (terms 5 or 6):
The supervisory committee sets the questions for the written exam and sends them to the GPA at
least one week before the exam date. The GPA emails the exam questions to the student on the
day and at the time determined. The student emails the written exam to the GPA on the day and
at the time determined. The GPA sends the exam answers to the committee. The oral exam
should take place about two weeks after the written exam is submitted.
The supervisory committee evaluates the written questions and/or the course outline prior to the
oral exam. The oral exam covers both the written exam questions/course outline and all materials
on the reading lists. At the conclusion of the exam, the supervisory committee completes and
signs the PhD Comprehensive Exam Evaluation Form. The supervisor is responsible for
submitting that form to the Program Office and for ensuring the student completes any additional
work required.
The Comprehensive Exam Process: Details
i. Selection of a Comprehensive Examination Committee
50
In consultation with the advisor and/or the Program Director, the student selects a committee of
three faculty members (one supervisor and two committee members) to serve on their
Comprehensive Examination Committee. All faculty members must be appointed to FGS and at
least two must be members of the Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies Graduate Program,
one of whom must agree to serve as the principal supervisor for the comprehensive examination.
Typically (but not necessarily), members of the Examination Committee will also be members of
the dissertation supervisory committee. Once the Committee is selected, the student completes
the PhD Comprehensive Examination Committee Form, which each member of the
Committee signs, and the student submits this form to the Program Office. It is expected that
students will have their committee in place by the beginning of the second year.
Note: At least one member of a supervisory committee for a comprehensive must have selfdeclared expertise in the area of the comprehensive and the combined expertise of all three
members should cover all areas of the comprehensive examination. The supervisor and student
should ensure that faculty expertise is identified on the PhD Comprehensive Examination
Committee Form.
The Graduate Study committee (or the GPD acting on its behalf) confirms that the committee
meets the Program requirements and notifies the student and the committee to proceed or asks
for further clarification or changes.
ii. Overview Statements
In consultation with the Comprehensive Examination Committee, the student develops a onepage overview statement or problematic and a reading list for each of the General and the
Specific exam. These problematics identify several central questions, key issues or conceptual
frameworks which have informed feminist dialogue and debate (e.g., how feminist theory has
conceptualised the relations among gender, race and class; identity politics,). The overview
statement should also speak to the logic for determining or selecting the most pertinent literature
relevant to the central questions, key issues or problematics.
The General component of the comprehensive examination is intended to encourage the student
to develop a depth and breadth across a range of fields on Gender, Feminist and Women’s
Studies, so the questions/issues/problematics should draw on and apply to three or four of the
main designated fields of gender, feminist and women's studies identified in the Program.
1. Cultural and Literary Studies, Performance and Fine Arts
2. Diaspora,Transnational and Global Studies
3. Histories
4. Politics, Economies and Societies
5. Race
6. Sexualities
7. Theories and Methods
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*Special Topics: A Student may choose a special topic as one of their ‘fields’ as in some cases
there could be an argument for reviewing another body of literature not covered by the seven key
fields.
The goal is to ensure that the student has an appreciation of the breadth and depth of feminist
scholarship.
For the Specific component of the comprehensive examination, the issues or problematics should
relate to the specific area of focus for the student's anticipated dissertation. (If the student prefers,
and the supervisory committee agrees, the Specific component of the comprehensive
examination could focus on a topic unrelated to the dissertation of particular interest to the
student).
Note: The General and Specific problematics and reading lists should address significantly
different areas. Students and committees should make sure there is little or no overlap between
the two.
Reading Lists
Again in consultation with the Comprehensive Examination Committee (and with suggestions
from the Committee), the student develops a reading list for each of the General and Specific
components of the examination. Each list should consist of approximately 25 books or the
equivalent (50 items in total). Typically five articles or book chapters are considered equivelent
to one book.
The selection of readings should capture the interdisciplinarity of Gender, Feminist and Women's
Studies and reflect the complex, contradictory, and ambiguous relationships operating among
diversities such as gender, race, class, sexuality, ability. The Comprehensive Examination
Committee must meet with the student at least once to formulate, finalize and approve the lists.
At this time, the student must indicate which option they are selecting for each component of the
examination: the four page problematic and written exam or the course outline (see # 6 below).
Approval of Overview Statements and Reading Lists
Once the committee has approved the final statements and lists, and agreed on the option chosen
and the timeframe, the student submits the PhD Comprehensive Examination Problematics
and Reading Lists Form with copies of the overview statements and reading lists to the
Program Office.
Literature Review
The student reads the items on the Reading Lists identifying the central problematics, key issues
and major questions uncovered in the literature.
Summary Statements and Sample Questions or Course Outline
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Students have two options:



Option 1: The student prepares a summary statement and three sample examination
questions for each of the General and Specific components of the examination.
Option 2 : The student prepares a summary statement and sample examination questions
for one of either the General or the Specific components of the examination and prepares
a course outline for the other.
Note: The course outline is due at the same time as the four-page problematic/review statement
and potential questions (four weeks prior to the written exam).
Summary Statements and Sample Questions
These summary statements (about 4 pages each) are based on the readings and include a brief
description of the problematics, key issues and/or central questions and debates in the literature
as well sample examination questions. For each of the two components of the examination, the
student will prepare three questions relating to the major questions, key issues or problematics
revealed in the literature review. The Comprehensive Examination Committee meets with the
student at least once to discuss the problematics/central questions. The student submits drafts of
the two four page problematics/summary statements and sample questions/course outline to the
committee.
Course Outline
1. General Comp course outline option:
Based on the reading list for the General component of the comprehensive examination,
the student will prepare a course outline for a full year 2000 level undergraduate course.
This course outline will include: a course description including the goals and learning
objectives of the course, a weekly class schedule (assuming a 3 hour class time per week
with a minimum of 1 hour and maximum of 2 hour lecture plus a seminar) that indicates
the topic, lecture, and readings for each week, including a written explanation of how the
readings relate to the topic. The student will also write detailed outlines of two of the
lectures, and one of these lectures will be written out in an essay format.
2. Specific Comp course outline option:
Based on the reading list for the Specific component of the comprehensive examination,
the student will prepare a course outline for a half year senior seminar (4000 level
undergraduate course). This course outline will include: a course description that sets out
in detail the focus of the course and its theoretical and methodological underpinnings,
explaining why the topics and readings were selected. The outline will also provide a
weekly class schedule that specifies the topic and reading assignments for each week, and
a paragraph detailing the nature and rationale of each class and its overall place within
the course. The focus for this course outline is on articulating the theoretical and
53
methodological underpinnings and goals in the course description, and on providing
rationales for the readings and focus of each class in realizing those ends. The student
will also write detailed outlines of two of the lectures, and one of these lectures will be
written out in an essay format.
Approval of Summary Statements and Sample Questions and Scheduling of the
Examination:
The examination will be held, typically, within six months of, and no more than one year, from
the date the Comprehensive Examination Committee approves the one page
overview/problematics and reading lists. Once all committee members have agreed that the
summary statements and sample questions and/or the course outline are acceptable, the student
completes and submits the Request for PhD Comprehensive Examination Form to the
Program Office, confirming that the committee members have approved the summary statements
and sample questions/course outline and that the student and all committee members have agreed
on the time frame option, as well as the dates for both the written and oral parts of the
examination. This must be submitted at least one month before the written exam date.
Note: The course outline option does not involve a written exam.
Three options are available to students with regard to the specific timing format for writing the
general and/or specific components of the examination:



Option 1
the student writes two three-hour papers, on site at York (or in an approved location)
within a period of one week.
Option 2
the student writes the two papers over a period of two weeks, writing one question per
week.
Option 3
the student writes the two papers over a period of one month.
The papers for Options 2 and 3 will be 4000-5000 words each.
Preparation of the Written Examination
For each of the General and/or the Specialized components of the written examination, the
Comprehensive Examination Committee, coordinated by the principal supervisor, will set three
questions based on the student's problematics or central questions as reflected in the works on the
reading lists and using if they choose, some or all of the questions formulated by the student. The
examination questions are sent by the principal supervisor to the Program Assistant at least one
week before the examination date. The Program Assistant is responsible for providing the
student (via e-mail and if requested, by hard copy) with the questions on the appropriate date.
Completion of the Written Examination
For each examination component (General and Specific), students will write on only one of the
three questions provided by the Committee. Completed papers are submitted to the Program
54
Assistant who then distributes the completed written examination responses to all members of
the Comprehensive Examination Committee. If members of the Comprehensive Examination
Committee have serious concerns at this point about the appropriateness of the student
proceeding to the oral examination, the principal supervisor should inform the Program Director
and they should decide whether to proceed with the oral exam or ask for further revisions.
Completion of the Oral Examination
An oral examination will be held, normally, about two weeks after completion of the written
examination. It covers the student’s responses to the written examination questions, the course
outline if selected, as well as the material on both reading lists. The oral examination is,
typically, about two hours in duration. The format for the oral examination is as follows.
Once the members have convened, the Candidate is excused, the Comprehensive Examination
Committee should discuss whether, on the basis of the completed written aspect of the
requirement, the candidate is ready to proceed to the oral. The proposed format of the oral should
also be approved prior to inviting the candidate back into the room.
The candidate is then invited to comment on their written examination and if relevant, the course
outline. This provides an opportunity for the student to address any errors or omissions in the
written work that upon reflection may have occurred to them. It also allows the student to
enlarge upon the issues addressed in the written examination and if relevant, the course outline.
Each person on the Committee is invited to pose questions on the written exam and if relevant,
the course outline and the Committee may wish to revisit questions the candidate did not select.
This format is intended to allow a conversation or dialogue to develop. The oral continues until
each member of the examination committee is satisfied and/or has asked all the questions they
wish to pose. The candidate is invited to make a concluding statement if they wish and is then
asked to leave the room.
Members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee evaluate both the written and oral parts
of the examination. Following this deliberation, the candidate is invited back into the room and
informed of the Committee's decision.
Note: All committee members must attend the oral examination. However, if on the day of the
exam, one member of the examining committee fails to attend as planned, the examination may
proceed, at the discretion of the principal supervisor and with the agreement of the student, as
long as at least two members of the examining committee are present.
Evaluation
The Comprehensive Examination Committee will evaluate both the written and the oral aspects
of the examination. The ratings are: Pass, Pass with Conditions, and Unsatisfactory. A “Pass with
Conditions” will specify additional work to be done and provide a time frame for completion of
this work. (If this requirement is not met, the student will receive an “Unsatisfactory” rating on
the examination.). Students with an “Unsatisfactory” rating may retake the examination within
the next three months. Two comprehensive examinations receiving an “Unsatisfactory” rating
result in a failure on the comprehensive examination, and the student will be required to
withdraw from the Program. The Committee signs the PhD Comprehensive Examination
Evaluation Form. The supervisor submits the form to the Program Assistant who records the
results in the student's file.
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APPENDIX 2
Ph.D. Dissertation Requirement
Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies
The Ph.D. Dissertation involves the following steps:
1. The student selects a Ph.D. dissertation committee and a supervisor:
When a student has successfully written the comprehensive examination, the student, in consultation
with the comps supervisor, selects a dissertation supervisory committee. This committee consists of a
minimum of three faculty members, at least two of whom must be members of the Graduate Program in
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies. The principal supervisor must be a member of the Graduate
Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. In exceptional circumstances and with prior
approval of the Dean, the third, or an additional member, may be appointed who is not a member of the
Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The student completes the Ph.D. Dissertation Supervisory Committee Approval Form and submits it for
approval to the Graduate Study Committee and the Director of the Graduate Program in Gender,
Feminist and Women's Studies. If one member of the supervisory committee is not a member of the
Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies faculty, the student must submit a request explaining why the
faculty member is appropriate, including a copy of the faculty member's CV, to the Executive
Committee for approval.
Once approved, the form is forwarded to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for approval. This
should normally occur before the proposal is submitted. (Please see the FGS policy on supervision
Graduate Supervisory Principles, Policies and Practices available on the Web or in the FGS
Handbook.)
2. The student writes a dissertation proposal:
The structure for the PhD dissertation proposal is as follows:
Since a dissertation proposal must be approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies students should
adhere to the instructions described on the web at the following URL http://www.yorku.ca/grads/pub/pro.htm
1) All students must submit the FGS Thesis and Dissertation Proposal Form TD1 with their dissertation
proposal (http://www.yorku.ca/grads/policies/ethics.htm). Students whose research involves human
participants must submit FGS Human Participants Research Protocol Form (TD2)
2) Students must submit the “PhD Dissertation Proposal Approval” form with their proposal
3) Students engaging in fieldwork must submit the “Graduate Student Research RiskAssessment Check List”
56
A PhD dissertation proposal should be approximately 7 single spaced pages or 3500 words. The
bibliography is additional and should be no longer than two pages. Appendices and documents about
ethical guidelines are likewise additional.
i. Include a working title which can be refined/changed later
ii. In 2-3 paragraphs, identify the research goals and key questions: otherwise it is difficult to know
what your research objectives are other than to study a topic which hasn't received much
scholarly attention.
iii. In 1-2 single spaced pages identify the theoretical framework, e.g., key concepts within feminist
thought that guide your study. It is not enough to say, for example, that your research will be
informed by “feminist theory.”
iv. In 2-3 single spaced pages identify the methodological framework and research methods that will
be used. What are the important or relevant site(s) and/or source material to be analyzed? How
are the methods you will be using to analyze your sites/source materials appropriate? Are there
ethical issues involved in your research?
v. In one paragraph, explain the suitability of this proposal to the parameters of the Graduate
Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies: how does it relate to existing feminist
scholarship? What do you hope that your work will contribute to scholarship in Gender and
Women’s Studies?
vi. Provide a draft Chapter Outline.
vii. Set out a Work Schedule for your dissertation research
viii. Articulate a careful and realistic timeline for writing and submitting drafts of chapters to the
supervisory committee and for completion of the dissertation. Discuss with the supervisory
committee whether all members will receive each chapter, or whether the supervisor will see early
drafts first. In establishing a schedule, be sure to build in turn-around time for committee members
to return drafts, and then build in time for revisions. Establish a target date for completion of a first
full draft. Indicate your target for the dissertation defense.
ix. Provide a “Working Bibliography” that lists 15-20 of the most relevant bibliographic sources
Identify which style sheet you are using (e.g., MLA)
The Graduate Study Committee has responsibility to review proposals to ensure the following:
a) that the student's committee is appropriate for the student’s research topic and
is constituted and approved according to GFWS policy. Proposed committee members must be
appointed to Grad GFWS, or given special approval to serve on a specific dissertation committee.
b) that the proposal meets GFWS and FGS standards and is suitable to be forwarded to FGS
c) that the proposal is formulated according to the internal template of the Graduate Gender, Feminist
and Women’s Studies Program as outlined above.
d) that the proposal is a project suitable for MA/PhD work within the parameters of the Graduate
Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies.
e) that the proposal is written so that readers who are outside the immediate topic area can
understand what the student wants to do and how the student plans to proceed.
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When submitting a PhD dissertation proposal, students and their committees are expected to follow the
format specified in the Grad GFWS program handbook. Responsibility for this rests with both students
and supervisors. Proposals that do not follow this format will be returned for revision.
At the Graduate Program Meeting of April 22, 2008, the following option (which is a voluntary process)
was passed: Students and their supervisors are invited to attend the Graduate Study Committee meeting
at which the student’s proposal will be considered. At that meeting, the student makes a short oral
presentation, the committee (having read the proposal ahead of time) asks questions, makes comments
and gives the student an opportunity to respond. If the student and supervisor wish, the supervisor, may
also respond to the committee's questions and comments. The committee will notify the student and
supervisor of their decision in writing shortly after the meeting. (Note: students who prefer not to
present their work orally may continue to submit proposals in writing and receive written replies.)
*The format for bibliographic entries should follow one of the three style manuals listed below. In
consultation with their supervisor, students should choose one model and use it consistently. Copies of
three manuals are available in the Program Office.
The Chicago Manual of Style, Fifteenth Edition (2003)
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition (2003).
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition (2001).
3. The student does the research and writes the dissertation:
Substantial research should not be undertaken until the proposal is approved. The student and the
Committee should be in regular contact. Students should keep committee members informed about
when they can expect to receive drafts and faculty members should keep the student informed about
their schedules across each Fall/Winter and summer terms. Within reason, students should be able
to expect a prompt and detailed written response to their work. As the student begins the final
version of the dissertation, the committee should meet to discuss possible dates for the dissertation
defence and members for the examining committee. The supervisor is responsible for contacting
potential examining committee members and negotiating both their participation and defence dates.
A check-list and package of all required forms is available from the Program Office.
NOTE: The National Library has specified that an abstract for dissertations cannot exceed 350 words.
Any excess will be truncated when the National Library microfiches the completed work.
4. The student submits the dissertation:
The final dissertation must be presented in appropriate thesis form to the Program Office at least
five weeks prior to the tentative defence date (not including holidays). Consult the Faculty of
Graduate Studies Guidelines for the Preparation and Examination of Theses and Dissertations
(http://www.yorku.ca/grads/thesis/index.htm or the program office for a hard copy) for details
about the format and the composition of the Examining committee and oral defence procedures.
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Once the supervisory committee agrees that the thesis is ready for defence and that all final
revisions have been made, the student notifies the Program Office. The supervisor organises the
examining committee according to FGS regulations.
5. The student ensures that copies of the dissertation are distributed to all members of the
examining committee so that they receive it at least 5 weeks before the defence.
The supervisor ensures that all paperwork, including the Recommendation for Oral Exam Form
with the signatures of all members of the Supervisory Committee, is submitted to the Program
Office. The Program Assistant ensures that all paperwork is forwarded to FGS.
6. The supervisor confirms all arrangements (time, date, etc.) with the Chair and the External.
FGS sends out the official letter to all members of the examining committee. The Program Assistant
books the examination room, and makes arrangements for any AV equipment required.
7. One week prior to the defence, the Program Assistant (on behalf of the Program Director)
contacts all members of the examining committee to determine whether they agree that the
dissertation is examinable. The Program Assistant notifies the supervisor, the Program Director
and FGS if there are any problems.
8. The oral defence examines the candidate on the written thesis and on the performance during
the defence according to FGS regulations.
9. On successful completion of the defence, the student makes any revisions or corrections to the
thesis and submits 3 copies of it to FGS, with all necessary paperwork.
10. The Program Assistant ensures that the Convocation form is completed and sent to the
Registrar’s Office (RO). This form must be at the RO one month prior to Convocation date.
NOTE: There are important deadlines that will not be waived. Make sure you know what they are
and observe them if you wish to graduate by a specific date.
NOTE: If the external examiner’s expenses will be over $350.00, the supervisor must apply to
FGS using the External Expenditures Form, for approval for additional funding, prior to
confirming the appointment of that external examiner.
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APPENDIX 3
Procedures for Academic Appeals to the
Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies
(Interim Guidelines)
Detailed procedures for considering an appeal may vary somewhat depending on the situation.
In all cases, the following principles will be adhered to:
 the student's right to appeal will be respected, and no negative consequences will result from
their exercise of this right
 the student will be kept informed of how their appeal is being processed, and will receive
copies of any correspondence, minutes, or other documents relating to their appeal
 relevant faculty members (the course director, advisor, supervisor or member of the
supervisory committee, or other faculty member party to the appeal) will be kept informed of
the appeal and of the procedures to be followed in addressing it. They will receive copies of
any correspondence, minutes or other documents relevant to any aspect of the appeal which
concerns them.
Matters which may be appealed
A student may submit an appeal if they wishe any of the following:
 to ask for reappraisal of a grade received on a piece of work or in a Program or cross-listed
course
 to petition for a Program requirement to be altered or waived
 to petition for a Program deadline to be changed
 to make changes in the composition of their Supervisory Committee once it has been
approved by the Program’s Graduate Study Committee
 to appeal a decision regarding acceptance of their Major Research Paper (MRP)
 to appeal any other academic decision made by the Program
Such petitions may be granted on academic, on practical, or on compassionate grounds,
depending on the situation.
Informal Solution
Where appropriate, the student should first discuss the matter with the course director or
supervisor involved. The student may also discuss the matter with their advisor or the Program
Director. There may be a misunderstanding which can be cleared up, changes which can easily
be implemented, informal ways to make up work, etc. We recommend, but do not require, that a
student seek an informal solution before turning elsewhere. It is expected that most questions
will be resolved at this level in a spirit of collegiality and support for the student in their
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academic work.
Formal Appeal
If an informal solution cannot be reached, the student may present a formal petition, in writing,
to the Program Director. The petition should:
 explain the problem, including steps taken to resolve it
 give grounds for the appeal
 outline the solution desired by the student
Appeal Procedures
If the appeal concerns a grade, the procedures for the Appeal of a Grade will be followed. In
other cases, the Director of the Program, in consultation with the Executive Committee, will
propose procedures suitable to the appeal in question and will communicate them in writing to
the parties involved.
The parties will have 7 days from receipt of the description of the procedures to request changes
in them. The changes will be considered by the Executive Committee, which will make a
decision and communicate the final version of the procedures to the parties in writing.
Appeal of a Grade
It is expected that faculty members will provide clear guidelines early in the course, indicating
the assignments, their weighting, deadlines to be observed, and opportunities for feedback as the
work progresses.
These procedures deal with appeals on academic grounds, i.e., the student does not think their
academic work has received adequate recognition or rationale in the evaluation. Appeals on
compassionate grounds (e.g., based on external reasons that made it impossible for the student to
complete the work successfully) will be considered under Appeals on Compassionate Grounds.
Students requesting formal reconsideration of a grade for a piece of work or for a course must
initiate the informal process within two weeks of receiving notification of the final grade.
The student will submit:
 a copy of the work submitted, including the original grade and comments
 a "clean" copy of the work, without annotations, or grade, or material identifying the author
 a statement outlining the reason for the appeal.
The Program Director will select a faculty member who knows the material, but who has not
been involved in the grading of the work which forms the basis of the appeal, to read it and
provide their assessment in writing. The student will be given the opportunity to identify any
particular faculty member(s) they choose not to serve as the reader. The faculty member selected
to serve as the reader will be anonymous.
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The faculty member doing the new evaluation will be given the "clean" copy or copies of the
work, without critical markings or the original grade, or material identifying the author. They
will have access to relevant course material, including the course outline, and any description of
the assignments and of how they are to be evaluated, but not to any material evaluating or
commenting on the work at any stage in its production. The student will be informed of the
material to which the reader has access.
The Executive Committee will decide on the petition to change the grade on the basis of the
following information:
 course materials describing the assignment and its evaluation
 the initial evaluation of the work, with the written rationale provided by the faculty member
when the work was returned.
 If the work was submitted more than once (e.g., as a proposal, in draft form, as an oral
presentation, etc.), the faculty members' written comments on this stage of the work will also
be considered.
 the written statement from the student explaining the grounds for the appeal.
 the grade and the rationale for the grade provided by the faculty member doing the new
evaluation of the work.
 this material will also be made available to the student and to the faculty member involved
The Executive Committee may decide to raise the grade, or to leave it the same. Their rationale
will be provided to both parties.
Appeals on Compassionate Grounds
The Program may agree to waive or delay Program requirements on compassionate grounds,
subject to the relevant regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The student will consult the relevant faculty members and the Director of the Program to seek an
informal solution. If this is not possible, the question will be brought to the Executive
Committee. The student, the Director and/or the student's advisor or supervisor will decide upon
appropriate documentation to be presented to the Executive Committee.
Harassment or Discrimination
The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies is in principle dedicated to the
provision of an atmosphere which respects and delights in all its members, whatever their
gender, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, family status,
background, theoretical approach, etc. We are all well aware of the challenge to us as we work
together to create a climate which is at the same time supportive of and academically challenging
to all participants.
As a university, York is also committed in principle to providing a "warm" climate for diversity,
and many offices of the University are engaged in this work. For example, the Centre for the
Support of Teaching, the Centre for Race and Ethnic Relations, the Sexual Harassment
Education and Information Centre, ABLE, the Office of Employment Equity.
62
At the time of this writing, procedures for dealing with harassment or discrimination on
sexual/gender or racial/ethnic grounds, whether individual or systemic, are being discussed and
revised. A student who experiences harassment or discrimination can consult any or all of the
following:
 their advisor, supervisor, or a sympathetic faculty member
 the Director of the Program
 the Centre for Racial and Ethnic Relations
 the Sexual Harassment Education and Information Centre
 the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
These consultations are confidential. It is up to the person experiencing harassment to decide
whether to pursue the case, formally or informally. Currently, appeals relating to academic
issues (e.g., grades, supervision) follow the procedures for academic appeals, with advice to the
appellant from the Centre for Race and Ethnic Relations (CRER 416- 736-5682) and/or the
Sexual Harassment Education and Complaints Centre (SHEACC 416-736-5500).
Appeals to the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Students should consult Section 48 of the Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for
information on appeals beyond the level of the Program.
(These Interim Guidelines were approved by the Program Meeting of the Graduate Program in
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies, April 22, 1996, and updated June 23, 1998.)
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APPENDIX 4
Intellectual Property Policy
The Faculty of Graduate Studies recognizes the mission of the university to seek, preserve, and
disseminate knowledge and to conduct research in a fair, open, and morally responsible manner.
In such regard, the Faculty of Graduate Studies believes that intellectual property rights are
divided among several interests, and that the rights and obligations of various claimants should
be specified, fairly regulated, and that disputes arising may be mediated. All parties, students and
faculty are expected to behave in an ethically appropriate manner beyond their immediate
graduate student/supervisory relationship, to encompass intellectual property rights,
dissemination of research data, and in making decisions on authorship and publication of joint
research.
Because of the varied cultural aspects and practices that differ among the graduate programs,
each program is responsible for enacting and enforcing this policy of appropriate ethical
practices on intellectual property rights, in accordance with the basic tenets of the general
principles found in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Report on Intellectual Property (February
1995). Programs which choose not to enact their own specific policy are bound by the Faculty
Policy on Intellectual Property for Graduate Programs.
Application of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Intellectual Property Policy
The purpose of this section is to allow programs to enact a variant policy, to take into account
normative practices and procedures of a discipline that may not be adequately described in the
Faculty Policy on Intellectual Property for Graduate Programs. Programs will have an obligation
to inform their students and faculty of the existence of the program policy, and especially of the
nature of any special conditions, or of the Faculty Policy on Intellectual Property for Graduate
Programs, if a program does not elect to formulate their own policy.
In the production of a program policy, no program may impose unreasonable or unusual
conditions on any student or faculty member as a condition of admission to, or participation or
teaching in a program. Furthermore, no individual agreement between a faculty member and a
graduate student will impose unreasonable or unusual conditions on the student.
To ensure that the unequal power and influence of the faculty member in the supervisor/student
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relationship does not overwhelm the student, the Executive Committee of the Graduate Program
will review all individual agreements to ensure that this condition is respected. The policy of
each program must ensure that the Executive Committee of the Graduate Program may annul any
individual agreement, and/or ask for redrafting of an agreement, where they consider that this
condition has not been respected.
The program policy will be entitled 'Intellectual Property Policy of the Graduate Program in
..............', and must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for approval by the
Executive Committee and Council within three months after approval of the Faculty Policy on
Intellectual Property for Graduate Programs.
The Faculty Policy for Graduate Programs On Intellectual Property Relationships Between
Graduate Students And Their Supervisors
The following clauses, concerning authorship, publication and individual agreements relating to
graduate students and their supervisors, are to serve as the Faculty Policy on Intellectual Property
for Graduate Programs who wish to devise their own policy, principles and practices. Clauses 1
through 15, either in their entirety or reworded, must be included in all Graduate Programs'
policies. If clauses are reworded, the programs must ensure that the spirit of the Faculty wording
is encompassed. The clauses may be augmented if the programs so wish. All program policies,
which will be expected to have an appropriate preamble, are subject to the approval of the
Faculty of Graduate Studies Executive Committee and Council.
Authorship
1. Authorship can only be credited to those who make substantial intellectual contributions to a
piece of work. Accepting the addition of an author who has not made a significant intellectual
contribution to the piece of work is not ethical for authors.
2. Authors accept not only credit but also responsibility for their work and, in particular, for
ensuring that the work conforms to appropriate standards of Academic Honesty.
3. Generally, the order of authors' names in a publication should reflect the substance of their
relative contributions to the work, with priority going to those who made the greatest or most
significant contribution. Supervisors should discuss the issue of authorship, and what factors may
determine the final order of authorship, normally before commencing the work.
4. Where the major substance or data of a coauthored publication is based on a portion of a
graduate student's work, the student will normally be the first author. The supervisor or joint
authors should be prepared to offer a rationale in cases where the student is not listed as the first
author. Where the work has been written up in a dissertation or thesis or paper before the
research is published, the publication will normally cite the dissertation, thesis, or paper on
which it is based.
5. Anyone otherwise entitled to be acknowledged as a coauthor may forfeit that right if they
leave the project before substantially completing it. In such cases their contribution to the work
shall nonetheless be acknowledged in an appropriate manner by the author(s), for example in the
acknowledgements section of the publication.
6. Providing financial support for a student's dissertation, thesis, or research paper is not, in
itself, sufficient to warrant authorship. Only where intellectual input is provided beyond financial
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support, should co-authorship be considered.
7. Supplying minor editorial work for a student's dissertation, thesis, or research paper is not, in
itself, sufficient to warrant co-authorship.
8. If a student is employed as a Research Assistant in circumstances where the work done in the
course of that employment is not intended to and does not in fact become part of work done for
the degree requirements, then the student may not normally claim co-authorship and does not
own the data, except through a prior agreement that is consistent with the general principles
above.
9. If a student is employed as a Research Assistant in circumstances where the work done in the
course of that employment becomes part of the thesis/dissertation/research paper, the student
may, at a minimum, claim co-ownership of the data but as the author of the thesis/
dissertation/research paper owns the overall copyright.
Publication
10. The university has an important duty, grounded in the public interest, to seek, preserve and
disseminate knowledge. Therefore, authors should attempt to publish their work in a timely
fashion. In cases where work must be kept confidential and unpublished for a time, the period of
delay should normally be no more than one year from the date of acceptance of a thesis or
dissertation, and should in no circumstances extend beyond two years from that date.
11. Publications by graduate students and faculty must give full and proper acknowledgment to
the contribution of other students or faculty, or others to their work, notwithstanding that such
contribution may not warrant authorship. Such contributions should be substantial, in accordance
with the particular discipline, and may include items such as original ideas that led directly to the
research work, or requested commentary that resulted in significant changes to the research.
12. Normally, all co-authors or co-owners of the data need to concur in publishing or presenting
the work. Co-authors should agree to the time or place of presentation or publication of their
jointly authored work prior to the presentation or publication, but such agreement should not be
unreasonably withheld. The inability of the author(s) to contact another co-author prior to
presentation at a meeting or seminar should not prevent work from being publicly disseminated,
provided they make reasonable efforts to contact all contributors to obtain prior agreement.
13. To verify research materials or data, there must be provisions for access. Supervisors and
sponsors may, with agreement of the student, retain the original materials provided. Under such
circumstances students shall normally be presented on request with complete and usable copies
of those materials.
14. Where there has been significant substantive and intellectual contribution by the supervisor
to the research, the intellectual property emanating thereof shall normally be the joint property of
graduate students and their supervisor or sponsor for the masters or doctoral project in which the
materials were created. When the physical research materials embody intellectual property, the
student should have reasonable access to this material. Agreements concerning research
materials and data should be made, where possible, before the commencement of research.
15. Students shall not use in their dissertations, theses or papers data or results generated by
someone else without first obtaining permission from those who own the materials.
Individual agreements
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Students and faculty may enter into individual agreements that modify their intellectual property
rights. If they do so, the provisions of clauses 16 through 19 below must be observed.
16. Individual agreements should specify any financial relations and associated rights and
obligations, provisions for ownership and control of original data and research materials,
authorship, publication, and presentation.
17. All individual agreements must explicitly state that they are subject to applicable Collective
Agreements and all University regulations in force at the time.
18. All individual agreements must be completed within four months of a student starting a
significant portion of the research for a thesis or dissertation, or within four months of the
student joining a laboratory. In the case for students joining a specific laboratory to undertake
research with a specific supervisor, the supervisor should indicate prior to the arrival of the
student the nature of any agreement expected to be entered into between the supervisor and the
student.
19. All individual agreements will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Graduate
Program to ensure that the agreement does not impose any unreasonable or unusual conditions
on the student. The Executive Committee of the Graduate Program may annul any individual
agreement or ask for redrafting where this condition has not been respected.
Education and Information
Education is a most powerful tool to promote appropriate ethical behaviour in the graduate
student/supervisor relationship, especially concerning intellectual property rights, dissemination
of research data, authorship, and publication of joint research. Moreover, a suitable educational
session to inform graduate students of their rights and obligations concerning intellectual
property and associated aspects would go a long way to ensuring that potential conflicts are
eliminated before intervention is required. Therefore, graduate programs should present an
educational and information session to incoming graduate students on such matters as part of
their orientation. To assist in this task, graduate programs should use the section of the report of
the Task Force on Intellectual Property entitled "Intellectual Property and the Graduate Student
at York", and ensure that copies of this section are provided to all new faculty and incoming
graduate students. Furthermore, the Graduate Programs would find an educational session useful
to continually update faculty members on what documentation may or should be included in
appropriate individual agreements. To ensure that the educational session is held, Graduate
Programs are required to include in their intellectual property policy the following statement:
That Graduate Program in ...... will normally hold an information session on ethical aspects of
research including intellectual property rights, and related issues, during the orientation session
for new incoming graduate students. All new students and faculty will be provided with copies of
the most recent edition of the document entitled "Intellectual Property and the Graduate Student
at York."
Dispute Resolution
In such a complex area, disputes may arise even among people of good will, for example, out of
conflicting understandings of fact, or interpretations of the law, Faculty or program regulations,
67
or individual agreements.
The primary role of the Faculty of Graduate Studies should be to provide general directives and
principles governing the graduate student/supervisory relationship, to educate and inform parties
about their rights and appropriate behaviour, and to assist parties in mediating disputes. The
latter imply that the parties can probably come to a voluntary and informed agreement between
themselves. Generally, the imposition of resolutions by a Faculty or by arbitrators is far less
satisfactory. Therefore, the following mediative process is suggested as a means of resolving
disputes.
In disputes arising out of Program Policies or Individual Agreements, parties should initiate a
complaint in writing, and bring it to the attention of the Program Director of the Program in
which the student is enrolled, with a copy to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The Program Director should arrange an informal meeting of the parties to discuss the substance
of the dispute, the possibility of negotiating an agreement at the Program level, and to determine
the necessity of approaching the Faculty for assistance. At the meeting, the parties shall be
informed that they may at their own expense, seek legal remedy. At any point, if any party
chooses to proceed in law, the mediative role of the Program or Faculty shall end.
If the parties choose to proceed to mediation, a mediator acceptable to the parties, preferably
from outside the graduate program will be used, unless all parties agree to mediation by the
Program Director. In cases where the nature of the dispute involves a requirement for technical
knowledge of the matter, the Program Director may form a hearing committee consisting of
her/himself and necessary experts in the subject matter who preferably come from outside the
graduate program. In assisting the parties in mediation, the Program Director or mediator must
have regard to the fact that students and faculty generally stand in a relation of unequal power,
and thus ensure that any agreement reached is consistent with the general principles of the report
of the Task Force on Intellectual Property.
If the dispute cannot be settled by mediation within the Program, and on request of the parties,
the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies or his or her representative shall review the initial
attempt at mediation, and if warranted may proceed with a new attempt at mediation, subject to
the same conditions as stated above. In matters outside of ownership of intellectual property, the
Faculty may direct how a settlement should be reached.
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APPENDIX 5
List of Forms
PLEASE NOTE:
Unless noted otherwise, all forms can be downloaded from:
o GFWS Website: http://www.yorku.ca/gradwmst/index.html
o FGS Website: http://www.yorku.ca/grads/current_students/forms.html
Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies Program Forms
-
Guidelines and Request for Permission to take a Directed Reading Course
Form(available in the program office)
Annual Report on Progress (will be sent via email by the Program Assistant when
appropriate)
Approval of Supervisory Committee for MA Research Paper (MRP)
Approval of MRP Form
PhD Comprehensive Examination Committee Approval Form
PhD Comprehensive Examination Problematics and Reading Lists Form
Request for PhD Comprehensive Examination Form
PhD Comprehensive Exam Evaluation Form
Comprehensive permission Release Form
Faculty of Graduate Studies Forms
-
Request for Grade of Incomplete
M.A./PhD Thesis Supervisory Committee Approval Form
M.A./PhD Thesis Proposal Approval Form
Human Participants research Procedures and Forms
Recommendation for Oral Examination
External Examiner’s Expense Pre-Approval Form
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-
-
FGS Petition form (i.e. Leave of Absence, Drop/Add a course retroactively,
Withdraw from the program retroactively, Change of registration status, course
Extension, External status, Late grade change, Reinstatement, etc.)
Change to Part-Time Registration Status Permission Form
Permission forms to take courses outside the program of study
Request form to pursue a course at another Ontario university as an OVGS
(Ontario Visiting Graduate Students)
H://wmst/gradgfws/2012-GFWS/2012/Handbook
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