Simone de Beauvoir Institute and Women’s Studies

Note

For the complete list of faculty members, please consult the Department website:

concordia.ca/artsci/sdbi.html

Objectives

The Simone de Beauvoir Institute leads research, teaching and thinking on women, gender, feminism, sexuality, race, class, oppression, disability, and social justice. The Institute approaches teaching and research in partnership with communities outside the university and puts the leading political, theoretical and methodological commitments that come from feminism into practice. The Institute develops teaching and research with a commitment to social justice and activism, including: intersectionality, feminism, anti-colonialism, anti-imperialism, anti-racism, anti-ableism, anti-capitalism, anti-authoritarian, anti-carcerality, anti-war and militarism, and transnational, ecological, pro-sex worker, sexual and gender diverse, and trans inclusive politics. The Institute centres on studying the social production of identities and differences by critically examining media representations, consumer cultures, cultural production, social movements, law, history, governance, public health and other related areas. Women's Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality are two programs that address several areas of knowledge, including social, political, and economic fields of study. Drawing on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary theories and methods, students learn how to question the concepts and structures of knowledge and develop critical thinking, communication and collaboration, research, and other transferable skills.

Simone de Beauvoir Institute

Established in 1978 as a college at Concordia University, the Simone de Beauvoir Institute's mission is to provide a foundation in interdisciplinary teaching and research in Women’s Studies. Simone de Beauvoir, a distinguished philosopher and feminist writer, authorized the Institute to use her name and continued to show great interest in its activities. In addition to helping develop the field of Women’s Studies in Canada, the SdBI has also become a leader in sexuality research and teaching with the introduction of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality program in 2019.

All students registered in the Specialization in Women’s Studies‌, Major in Women’s Studies‌, Minor in Women’s Studies‌, or Certificate in Women’s Studies‌ or the Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality‌ or Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality‌ are members of the Institute. Other undergraduate students are welcome to become members if they undertake to complete nine credits of WSDB or SSDB courses.

The co-curricular life of the Institute is extremely important, and all members are expected to contribute to our activities. Exciting opportunities are available to organize workshops, colloquia, and debates on subjects that interest the members, as well as to collaborate with organizations outside the University on research projects and other joint initiatives.

Admission Requirements for the Simone de Beauvoir Institute

Students may apply simultaneously to Concordia University and the Simone de Beauvoir Institute by filling out and submitting the Concordia University Application for Admission with the box for “Colleges” checked and “Simone de Beauvoir Institute” written in the space provided. Further information about the Institute can be obtained by calling or visiting its offices or website at concordia.ca/artsci/sdbi.