Fonds F-63 - Department of Women's Studies fonds

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Title proper

Department of Women's Studies fonds

General material designation

  • Graphic materials
  • Photographic materials
  • Textual records

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  • Source of title proper: Title of the fonds is based on the name of its creator.

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Fonds

Reference code

F-63

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1972 - 2004; predominant 1975 - 1991 (Creation)
    Creator
    Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies

Physical description area

Physical description

88 cm of textual records
40 photographs
6 oversize posters

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Archival description area

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(1976 - )

Administrative history

The Department of Women's Studies at SFU has its roots in the political climate on campus during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some students and faculty expressed a desire to participate in research on women and the development of feminist theory. In the fall of 1971, the first course to focus on women—Geography 404: the Geography of Gender—was offered to 40 students. At the same time, SFU faculty members began to develop and participate in a series of non-credit courses relating to women's issues. As a result of the success of both Geography 404 and these non-credit courses, a proposal for a Women's Studies program was drafted. In 1975 this proposal was presented by Andrea Lebowitz and Margaret Benston to Senate and approved.

The Women's Studies program was established within the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, and offered its first course in 1976. The program was administered by the Women's Studies Coordinating Committee, which was responsible for hiring, course development, and other administrative details. The Coordinating Committee was composed of Women's Studies faculty members, elected student representatives, and associated faculty teaching in the program.

In 1985, when the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies was eliminated, the Women's Studies program was placed in the Faculty of Arts within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Also in the 1980s, the Ruth Wynn Woodward Endowed Chair in Women's Studies was founded, a role that includes teaching, public speaking engagements, the organization of conferences, and the invitation of distinguished speakers. And, in 1985, the MA program was established and admitted its first students.

The 1990s brought further developments: the introduction of a certificate program in 1990; departmental status in 1991; the offering of joint majors, with English in 1991 and with Psychology in 1992; and the approval of Women's Studies as a major in 1994. Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology joint majors were added in 1997.

In 2000, the department introduced a course-based MA, followed by additional joint majors with Criminology, History, and Humanities in 2001. A PhD program was established in 2004, and a Gender Studies minor was added to the undergraduate program in the same year. By 2007-2008, there were 775 students enrolled in Women's Studies undergraduate programs and courses, with a further 23 students in the MA and PhD programs. As of 2008, there are six full-time faculty members, four faculty who are jointly appointed with another department, eight faculty from other departments who serve as associate members of the department, three professors emeritae, one adjunct faculty member, and one endowed professor. Three staff members are also employed by the department.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The fonds consists of records relating to the activities of the department. Activities and events documented include the history of the department, the delivery of courses in Women's Studies, the administration of student work study programs and honorary degree nominations, and the organization of various events such as conferences, retreats, seminars and speakers series. Records include correspondence, reports, proposals, course outlines and descriptions, photographs, posters, conference materials, and other documents.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

The records were transferred to Archives through the regular application of university Records Retention Schedules and Disposal Authorities (RRSDAs).

Arrangement

The material was arranged by the Archivist.

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Restrictions on access

Access to some files may be restricted in accordance with the provisions of British Columbia's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996 c. 165). Files marked 'pending review' must be reviewed by an archivist prior to release, and as a result of the review access restrictions may apply. Please see the file lists and consult the archivist for more details.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

File list is available.

Generated finding aid

Associated materials

For other material relating to the Department of Women's Studies, see the finding aid to the Department of Women's Studies Collection, F-62.

Related materials

Accruals

As of November 2008, all accessions have been processed. Further accruals are expected.

General note

Financial assistance for the arrangement and description of these records and production of the finding aid was generously provided by the Government of Canada through Library and Archives Canada and the Canadian Council of Archives' National Archival Development Program (2008/2009).

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Status

Revised

Level of detail

Full

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Finding aid prepared by Frances Fournier, Enid Britt (May 2004).

Finding aid revised by Rita Mogyorosi (November 2008).

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