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Program Details

This is your opportunity to gain an exciting, comprehensive understanding of sexuality within a close-knit bilingual community. Alongside dynamic instructors, you’ll explore sexuality around the world in relation to categories of difference, identity and power, such as ability, age, class, gender, ethnicity, race and religion. You’ll investigate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, intersexed, cissexual, heterosexual and heteronormative identities and cultures – along with alternative ways of organizing sexualities, and alternatives to sexuality in the past, present and future. 

In this flexible, well-rounded program, you’ll also have the opportunity to take relevant courses in diverse fields such as history, literature, philosophy, political science and sociology. While you focus on your coursework, you’ll gain valuable expertise that will support any career path you choose. Communication, data gathering and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage and work collaboratively with others are valuable attributes prized in all work environments.  

Outside the classroom, you can participate in the activities of our on-campus Women and Trans Centre, which offers resources, seminars and activities. At Keele campus, you can join SexGen, a program responsible for addressing issues and concerns of sexual and gender diversity in academic settings. 

Our program shares resources with our sister program at Keele Campus. See what’s on offer. 

Explore what each year of your degree could look like, as well as how you can boost your major and career options.

Wondering what each year of your degree will look like? Check it out here.

Courses


Throughout your degree, you’ll find a curriculum that offers an in-depth and balanced approach to Sexuality Studies, from introductory survey courses to specialized topics, such as Critical Foundations in Sexuality Studies and Transnational Sexualities, which has a special emphasis on African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Indigenous contexts. 

View course timetables on York University's site

View course timetable – Glendon Campus – Sexuality Studies 2023-2024

Students on Glendon Campus.

Course Catalogue

GL/SXST 1601 6.00 Introduction to Sexuality Studies

Category: Core Course

Language of instruction: English

Cross-listed: AP SXST 1601 6.00; GL HUMA 1601 6.00

Calendar Description

Uses interdisciplinary, transnational and intersectional perspectives to introduce the field of sexuality studies in contemporary culture. Analyses and theoretical frameworks explore various axes of power, identity and difference including class, race, ability/disability, age, sexuality, nationalism etc. in both a Canadian and transnational framework.

GL/SXST 1601 6.00 Introduction à l'étude de la sexualité

Catégorie: Cours de base

Langage d`instruction: Français

Conditions préalables: GL/HUMA 1601 6.00

Description du calendrier

Ce cours propose une introduction à la sexualité à partir d'une perspective interdisciplinaire, transnationale et intersectionelle dans le contexte culturel contemporain. Diverses analyses et grilles théoriques feront l'examen des divers axes de pouvoir, d'identité et des différences incluant la classe, la race, l'in/capacité, l'âge, la sexualité, le nationalisme, etc., en les insérant dans leur contexte canadien et transnational.  

Courses offered at the Keele Campus are administered by the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies at the Keele campus. For inquiries and/or course permissions, send an email to, lapsgsws@yorku.ca.

GL/SXST 2600 6.00 Critical Foundations: Sexuality Studies

Category: Elective Course

Language of instruction: English

Cross-listed: P SXST/GWST 2600 6.00; GL GWST 2600 6.00.

Course credit exclusion: AP/WMST 2600 6.00, GL/WMST 2600 6.00.

Location : Keele Campus

Calendar Description

This course is an interdisciplinary and transnational introduction to theories, methods, themes, debates and issues that constitute the field of critical sexuality studies. The course will examine how sexuality intersects with other lines and relations of power including gender, race, class, dis/ability, family among others. It will also examine key theoretical innovations within the field of sexuality studies, as well as how theoretical directions pioneered in other fields have shaped sexuality studies.

Courses offered at the Keele Campus are administered by the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies at the Keele campus. For inquiries and/or course permissions, send an email at, lapsgsws@yorku.ca.

GL/SXST 3603 3.00 Sexual Activism, Movements and Politics

Category: Elective Course

Language of instruction: English

Cross-listed: AP SXST 3603 3.00; GL GWST 3603 3.00

Prerequisite: six credits in AP/SXST core or primary courses.

Location : Keele Campus

Calendar Description

Examines 20th and 21st century sexual activism, movements, and politics, focusing on everyday resistance, organized protest, and mobilizations for reform and revolution.

GL/SXST 3901 3.00/6.00 Directed Readings/Travaux Individuel

Category: Elective Course

Language of instruction: English

Cross-listed: AP SXST 3901 3.00/6.00

Prerequisites: AP/SXST 2600, 12 SXST credits, and normally a minimum of 7.0 cumulative GPA. Permission of the department.

Location : Keele Campus

Calendar Description

This course enables students to pursue independent work on a specialized topic. Proposals are developed in consultation with a faculty member affiliated with the Sexuality Studies Program.

Courses offered at the Keele Campus are administered by the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies at the Keele campus. For inquiries and/or course permissions, send an email to, lapsgsws@yorku.ca.

GL/SXST 4600 6.00 Queer Methods and Sex Research

Category: Core Course

Language of instruction: English

Cross-listed: AP/SXST 4600 6.00

Course credit exclusion:  AP/WMST 4600 6.00, GL/WMST 4600 6.00.

Location : Keele Campus

Calendar Description

This course provides students with a critical introduction to research methods in sexuality studies.  Focus is placed on queer methods used by scholars in the social sciences, humanities, and the fine arts.  Ethical questions relating to research design, power, identity, gender, normality, objectivity, and knowledge production will be a focus of investigation. 

GL/SXST 4901 3.00/6.00 Directed Readings/Travaux Individuels

Category: Elective Course

Language of instruction: English

Cross-listed: AP SXST 4901 3.00/6.00

Prerequisites: AP/SXST 2600, 12 SXST credits, and normally a minimum of 7.0 cumulative GPA.

Calendar Description

This course enables students to pursue independent work on a specialized topic. Proposals are developed in consultation with a faculty member affiliated with the Sexuality Studies Program.

Degree Types

Sexuality Studies offers the following degree types and certificates: 

  • Honours BA 
  • Certificate in Sexuality Studies 

Sexuality Studies is also available as a bilingual or trilingual international Bachelor of Arts

This program is also available as a Glendon BA, with flexible language requirements.

Book an Appointment with an Academic Advisor

View Academic Calendar for program requirements

Three students in conversation

Certificate in Sexuality Studies

In this flexible certificate, you’ll also gain important insights on sexuality from numerous disciplines, such as history, literature, philosophy, political science and sociology.

Explore Certificate

Explore All Certificates

Join Our Student Group 

Become part of GLgbt*, a student-run organization that promotes a supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer folks or any individual with diverse sexual or gender identities on Glendon campus by hosting community-building social events and awareness campaigns. 


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