MA in Women's Studies (Social Research)
New Structure October 2012
The MA degree can be taken full-time over one year, or part-time over two years. The taught component of this programme consists of two compulsory core modules, Difference, Diversity & Change and Work, Politics & Culture; three social science methodology modules; and one research training module; Interdisciplinary Methods for Women's Studies. In addition you will be allocated a supervisor for your 60 credit dissertation which must be submitted towards the end of your final year.
This programme aims:
- to equip candidates with the practical and intellectual tools necessary to undertake higher degree level social research on women and gender
- to provide a solid grounding in interdisciplinary women's studies, emphasizing gendered aspects of social and cultural life in relation to other social divisions and inequalities
- to expose students to an interdisciplinary range of conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches to and debates within women's studies
- to familiarize students with the epistemological and philosophical underpinnings of research methodologies, the politics and ethics of research, the principles of research design and to enable them to evaluate and apply a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies to women's studies research questions
- to foster the development of a critical, self-reflexive and independent approach to research and scholarship
| Module | Credits | Weekly Teaching | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difference, Diversity & Change | 20 | 1 x 2 hr seminar | assessed essay |
| Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis | 20 | 1 lecture + 2 hr wkshop | assessed exercise |
| Qualitative Methods | 20 | 1 lecture + 3 hr wkshop | assessed exercises |
| Interdisciplinary Methods in Women's Studies | 20 | 1 x 2 hr workshop | assessed portfolio |
| and 2 from: | |||
| Work, Politics & Culture | 20 | 1 x 2 hr seminar | assessed essay |
| Options | 20 | 1 x 2 hr seminar | assessed essay |
| Advanced Social Research Methods | 20 | 2 lecture + 2 hr workshop | assessed exercise |
| Digital by-product Data and the Social Sciences | 20 | 2 lecture + 2 hr workshop | assessed exercise |
| And the Dissertation: | |||
| Dissertation | 60 | 5 x supervisions | 14-16,000 words |
Detailed MA Women's Studies (Social Research) Programme Specifications will be available Spring 2012.
Entry Requirements
Candidates for the MA will normally be required to have a good first degree (an upper second class degree or its equivalent), although applications from those with other qualifications may be considered on their merits. Applications are also welcomed from mature students and those returning to education.