Course enrollment processes
Course enrolment begins with course selection, which happens early in the term before the term of study (so Sept for the Winter term, January for the Spring term and May for the Fall term). Course selection is your "wish list". The courses you prioritize for your program. The University takes everyone's wish list and tries to create a conflict-free schedule for as many students as possible. Although asynchronous online courses do not pose an issue for conflicts, they are highly desired and therefore getting on the course selection list for an online course is mandatory to obtain a seat.
After course selection, students are pre-slotted into courses on their "wish list." The next stage is open enrolment; this is where anyone who hasn't participated in course selection can register for courses.
Finally, there is the add/drop period. This is where you can rearrange your schedule, change your mind about a course or swap a course for a different one. While you can wait until 2 weeks into term to drop a course, you may not get a full refund if you miss the deadline, so it is important to pay attention to the deadlines.
TIP: We strongly encourage you to participate in the course selection process to ensure you have the best chance of getting into your most desired courses.
Primary resource for course information
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Schedule of Classes (for enrolment caps, and class times)
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Quest ( instructors and course campus locations)
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Undergraduate calendar (course descriptions and pre-requisites)
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Enrolment problems and course overrides please email gsj.ugrad@uwaterloo.ca
Secondary resource for Gender and Social Justice course offerings
Spring 2026 course offerings list
| course code | course title | course location |
|---|---|---|
| GSJ 260 / HLTH 260 | Social Determinants of Health | on campus |
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GSJ 472/ POLSCI 470 |
The Body Politic | on campus |
The Body Politic
Fall 2026 course offerings
Featured courses
GSJ 100: Intro to Gender and Social Justice
Students will gain a broad introduction to the interdisciplinary field of gender studies. They will learn to explain how experiences of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, class, and nationality work together. By examining social justice activism, students will explore how to form solidarity and coalition to challenge gender injustices produced by forces such as racism, colonialism, and globalization. Students can expect to engage with a wide range of material, from art, activism, popular culture, and scholarship across fields such as biology, geography, health, history, law, literature, media studies, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and sociology.
GSJ 371 / HIST 328: Matriarchs, Warriors, and Aunties: Indigenous Women in Canadian History
This course aims to engage students with Indigenous women's histories, stories, and contributions so that they may carry this knowledge into the foreground. Through the diplomacy of Molly Brant, the poetry of Pauline Johnson, the music of Buffy Sainte-Marie, and the advocacy of Mary Two-Axe Earley, students will explore Indigenous women's contributions to arts, politics, advocacy, sport, governance, and community throughout history in what is now Canada. Throughout this course, students will investigate Indigenous women's contributions to Canadian history through Indigenous women's lived experiences. Upon completion, students will have gained the skills to critically question why these narratives have been silenced, and how this silencing has contributed to Indigenous women's contemporary experiences in Canada.
GSJ 472: Social Justice and Philosophy of Language
This course uses the tools of philosophy of language to consider social justice issues related to communication. Students will apply these theoretical tools to real-world topics of interest to them. Topics may include gendered language, the role of language in oppression, linguistic manipulation, and the language of resistance.
| course code | course title | course location |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Gender and Social Justice | on-campus | |
| Gender and representation | on-campus | |
| GSJ 307 | Race as Resistance | on-campus |
| Sexuality and the Law | on-campus | |
| GSJ 371/ HIST 328 | Matriarchs, Warriors, and Aunties: Indigenous Women in Canadian History | on-campus |
| Applied Public Health Ethics |
on-campus |
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| Global Health | on-campus | |
| GSJ 472 | Social Justice and Philosophy of Language | on-campus |
For the official calendar descriptions, click the course code or see the above featured courses
Gender and Social Justice courses are offered in multiple disciplines and sometimes under different course codes. See the GSJ plan requirements for a complete list of approved GSJ courses.