BA Urban and Regional Planning Degree Guide

This is a degree guide about the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Alberta Faculty of Arts. 

Overview

Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) is a field of study that encourages students to ask big questions about the way that gender impacts societies, institutions, and human experience. Though the field historically focused on the lives of women, in the contemporary WGS classroom you’ll learn about how gender intersects with race, Indigeneity, class, ethnicity, sexuality, and (dis)ability.

This program offers courses in:

  • Gender and social justice
  • Sexuality studies
  • Popular culture & media
  • Feminist theory
  • Global gender issues
  • Feminist legal studies

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR MAJOR

Complete your major requirements and test out different classes. Design your academic plan — you’re in control!

WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

A major in Women’s and Gender Studies requires a minimum of 10 courses to a maximum of 16 courses in Women’s and Gender Studies, including three courses at the 400-level in WGS and three courses selected from:

  • WGS 301 - History of Feminist Thought
  • WGS 302 - Feminist Research and Methodologies
  • WGS 332 - Contemporary Feminist Theory
  • WGS 360 - Race, Class, and Gender

To verify your Major and BA Common Requirements, check the University Calendar and speak to an advisor.

The percentage breakdown of the components of the BA WGS (Major) are as follows:

  • Required WGS courses (Major) (25%)
  • BA Basic Requirements (12.5%)
  • Second Major, Minors(s), Certificates, Electives (62.5%)

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A WGS DEGREE?

I COULD BE A... public educator, equity officer, policy analyst, communications director, community outreach co-ordinator, editor, publisher, media planner, public relations specialist, human resources representative, social worker.

OR WORK WITH... not-for-profits, federal, provincial or territorial governments, publishing companies.

TOP 5 REASONS TO STUDY WGS

 1 Join a diverse and lively department with courses that emphasize in-class participation, presentations, and independent research papers.

 2 Select from a list of approved cross listed courses for an exciting and interdisciplinary learning experience.

 3 Participate in our annual interdisciplinary undergraduate research conference and share your ideas with students across campus.

 4 Take advantage of department activities and resources: attend a talk in the Feminist Research Speaker Series, visit the Femlab feminist exhibition space, join the Feminists at the U of A student group (FUA), or just unwind in our student lounge in Assiniboia Hall.

 5 Engage with learning in fresh new ways through Community Service-Learning and Walls to Bridges opportunities in WGS classes.

ENHANCE YOUR DEGREE

ADD A CERTIFICATE IN:

Applied Social Science Research, Peace and Post-Conflict Studies, Engaged Leadership and Citizenship in Arts and Science, International Learning, Community Engagement and Service Learning.

CONNECT TO EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING:

Arts Work Experience, Community Service-Learning, Study Abroad, Research.

The following suggested opportunities are organized in four themes (Gain Experience, Global Perspective, Navigate Courses, Seek Out Connections) and by early, mid, and late stages of your degree. Learn more about Indigenous peoples, perspectives, and worldviews throughout your degree.

Early degree

  • Expand your career options, be proactive, and test possibilities. Join a student group.
  • Gain experience: test your career options: volunteer on or off campus, or get a summer or part-time job. Reflect on what you're learning and practise self-care.
  • Global perspective: have inspired conversations and animated debates on global topics during International Week on campus.
  • Navigate courses: meet your undergraduate advisor and plan your degree path.
  • Seek out connections: join a student group on campus.

Mid-degree

  • Take risks, try new things, ask for and offer help to people you know and people you meet.
  • Gain experience: apply to Arts Work Experience and gain full time, paid work experience.
  • Global perspective: get involved with one of the cultural clubs on campus or volunteer with University of Alberta International.
  • Navigate courses: add research or creative activities to your degree with the Undergraduate Research Initiative, or apply into BA Honors.
  • Seek out connections: explore Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning.

Late degree

  • Develop and revise your career story based on your values, interests, and what you learn.
  • Gain experience: let the Career Centre support you in communicating your skills and experience to prepare for your next steps!
  • Global perspective: add a Certificate in International Learning to your degree.
  • Navigate courses: ready to toss your cap in the air? Apply to graduate!
  • Seek out connections: ask professors for academic references.

Student Supports

These are services that enable you to pursue academic and personal success:

  • Academic advising.
  • Student ombuds.
  • Indigenous student supports.
  • Academic support.
  • Health and wellness.
  • Campus food bank.
  • Libraries 
  • International student supports.
  • Accessibility resources.
  • Financial aid and awards.
  • Professional and career development.
  • Mental health supports.

Department Contact Information
Office: 1-26 Earth Sciences Building
Phone: 780-492-4416
Email: surp@ualberta.ca
Website: ualberta.ca/earth-sciences/urban-regional-planning

Blog: medium.com/ualberta-arts-insider
Youtube: ualbertaarts
Instagram: ualberta_arts
Facebook: uofaarts   

We are all treaty people. The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people.