Master´s Programme in Gender Studies - Intersectionality and Change, 120 credits

Introduction

This master’s programme in Gender Studies - Intersectionality and Change (GS/IC) is a two- year, full-time study programme. It prepares the students for further postgraduate studies, teaching and research in the inter- and transdisciplinary field of Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change. Moreover, the programme qualifies the students to integrate intersectional gender perspectives in higher education across disciplines and faculties as well as for professional work with processes of intersectional gender mainstreaming and transformation in society at large, in organisations, media, communication, politics and knowledge production at a national and transnational level. The programme offers student’s knowledge of theories and methodologies in Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change as well as academic expertise to use this knowledge to analyze and to intervene innovatively and professionally in gendered and intersectional processes of change in academic knowledge production, in higher education, in national and international organisations, politics, media and communication. The programme aims to stimulate an independent and critical approach and to enable students to act as agents for change with special regard to gender in its intersections (interplays) with other social and cultural power differentials such as ethnicity, sexuality, class, age, dis/ability etc. It is also an aim of the programme to give students the possibility to develop knowledge and skills, which allow them to contribute to processes of transformation and innovation as researchers and teachers in higher education, or in other professional capacities where agency based on scholarly knowledge production is required.

The programme is divided into two parts: Level One comprising the first year, and Level Two comprising the second year. Both levels are organized as independent units. Students who wish to take only Level One are eligible for a Master of Social Science (60 credits) in Gender Studies with specialization Intersectionality and Change, when they have completed and passed all included exams. Students who wish to take the exam after one year, must carry out an independent study and submit a 15 ECTS master thesis during their second term.

Aim

Master of Social Science (60 credits)

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Social Science (60 credits) degree the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work,
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in Gender Studies, with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, and
• demonstrate that she or he understands how, within the framework of Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, to act as an agent for change in higher education, organizations, politics, media, communication and in society at large.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Social Science (60 credits) degree the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or for employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Master of Social Science (60 credits) degree the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, informed by relevant disciplinary, interdisciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for her or his ongoing learning.

Master of Social Science (120 credits)

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Social Science (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in Gender Studies, with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work,
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in Gender Studies, with special reference to Intersectionality and Change,
• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the ways in which, within the framework of Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, it is possible to act as an agent for change in higher education, organizations, politics, media, communication and in society at large and
• demonstrate an in-depth knowledge about and understanding of the historical emergence of the field, its transdisciplinary character and its relation to feminist traditions.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Social Science (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, to undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss her or his conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Master of Social Science (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the field of Gender Studies with special reference to Intersectionality and Change, informed by relevant disciplinary, interdisciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for her or his ongoing learning.

Content

The programme is divided into two levels, each equivalent to one academic year.

Semester 1

Introduction to Studies of Intersectional Gender at Advanced Level, 6 credits, Includes a mandatory face-to-face week at Campus Linköping

Gender Studies – Intersectionality and Change, 12 credits

Analytical tools, 12 credits

Semester 2

Career Paths and Professional Communication, 6 credits, Includes a mandatory face-to-face week at Campus Linköping

Case Study: Analyzing Change, 9 credits

2 year master' students:

Feminist Genealogies and Social Movements, 7,5 credits

Historiographies of Intersectional Gender Studies, 7,5 credits, Includes a mandatory face-to-face week at Campus Linköping

1 year master's students:

Master's Thesis (including supervision and thesis writing course), 15 credits, Includes a mandatory face-to-face period at Campus Linköping

Semester 3

Theories and Methodologies, 15 credits, Includes a mandatory face-to-face week at Campus Linköping

Feminist Pedagogy and Intersectional Gender Didactics, 7,5 credits  or  Intersectional Equality Work in Organisations,7,5 credits

and

Science Communication and Critical Media Interventions, 7,5 credits  or  Internship, 7,5 credits

Semester 4

Master Thesis, 30 credits Includes two mandatory face-to-face periods at Campus Linköping

Teaching and working methods

The programme combines online distance education with intensive face-to-face seminars, workshops and meetings on campus. The courses consist of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, supervisions and course assignments, both in the on campus classroom and online. In addition to this, the students are expected to engage in independent studies.

The pedagogical format in both the online and the face-to-face classroom is experimental. More traditional academic formats are mixed with formats that focus on written and spoken performances which challenge traditional boundaries between academic and creative writing, speaking and intervening.

The language of instruction is English. The programme integrates formats inspired by foreign language pedagogy offering students the possibility to improve their foreign language skills and their skills in terms of teaching/learning in a multi-lingual environment, where translations are a key issue for all, both native and non-native English speakers.

Examination

Each course is examined individually or in a group. The forms of examination for each course are specified in the course description. The forms of examination include mandatory essays, written examinations, active participation in mandatory internet based and face-to- face seminars as well as mandatory course assignments. The theses (optional 15 credits thesis in the second term and mandatory 30 credits thesis in the fourth term) are presented and defended at public seminars and with an opponent/critical discussant.

Failing to participate in mandatory seminars can be compensated by extra course assignments.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course two times are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the re-examination. Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

As stipulated in the course syllabi.

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Gender studies, or equivalent qualifications.

Each applicant must enclose a Letter of Intent written in English, explaining why they want to study this programme, and a summary of their bachelor’s essay or project. If applicants hold a degree that does not include a bachelor’s essay or project, their Letter of Intent should describe previous studies and any academic activities that are related to the master’s programme or the programmes applied for.

English B/English 6 or equivalent.

Threshold requirements

In order to be admitted to the second year of the programme – the third semester – the student must have successfully passed at least 30 credits of the first year’s courses.

Degree requirements

The student will be awarded the degree of Master of Social Science (120 credits)
in Gender Studies with specialization Intersectionality and Change provided all course requirements, including the thesis/theses, are successfully completed and that the student fulfills the general and specific eligibility requirements including proof of holding a Bachelor’s (kandidat) or a corresponding degree.

Students who have completed the first year, including a master´s thesis of 15 credits, are eligible for a Magisterexamen (translated as Master of Social Science (60 credits) in Gender Studies with specialization Intersectionality and Change).

A degree certificate is issued by the Board of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on request from the student.

Degree in Swedish

Filosofie masterexamen i huvudområde genusvetenskap med inriktning mot intersektionalitet och förändringsarbete alternativt Filosofie magisterexamen i genusvetenskap med inriktning mot intersektionalitet och förändringsarbete.

Degree in English

Master of Social Science (60/120 credits) with a major in Gender studies, specialization Intersectionality and Change.

Specific information

Merits

The specific requirements will be assessed as not fulfilled if the average grade is in the lower third of the grading scale used in the country where the degree was awarded, that is grades have to be average/pass or above (the equivalent to the Swedish grade “Godkänd”).

Transfer of Credits

The Board of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences or a person nominated by the Board decide whether or not previous education can be transferred into the programme.

Enrolment Procedure

Students are admitted to the programme in its entirety. Selection is based on academic merit.