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 students 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 contexts 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. 

Aim

National Qualifications according to the Swedish Higher Education Act

Master of Arts (60 credits)

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Arts (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.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Arts (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 Arts (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 Arts (120 credits)

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Arts (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.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Arts (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 Arts (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.

Local Qualifications

For a Master of Arts (60 credits) the student shall:

• 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.

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

• 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.

Content

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

The programmet is characterised by progression in both knowledge and skills in the subject gender studies with the specialization intersectionality and change. During the first semester the courses are focused on introducing students to these subjects and their applications in various research areas and in practice. During this semester the student also poses and analyses research questions and problem areas with help of various analytical tools. During the second semester the student is trained in further in-depth analyses with an emphasis on change processes. The student is also trained in communicating scientific results to a broad audience and in reflecting on in which professional settings the acquired knowledge can be used.  The second semester ends with a master thesis in which the student independently formulates a research question and uses concepts, theories and methods acquired during whole academic year.       

During the third semester the student acquires more indepth knowledge on historical perspectives on feminism and social movements. During this semester the student is offered elective courses that specialises in environment, justice and pedagogy. The student can also choose to do an internship and account for the experiences of the internship. The fourth semester further enhances the student's knowledge in scientific theory and methods. The accomplished knowledge and skills from the third and fourth semester are then applied in the final master thesis.
 

The heading “Curriculum” contains a list of courses included in the programme. The course syllabuses for these describe in more detail the contents, teaching and working methods, and examination.

Teaching and working methods

The programme combines online distance education with intensive meetings on campus. In total four campus-based periods will be held. The first campus period will be at the start of the programme. Thereafter a campus-based period will be held at the beginning of semester 2, semester 3 and semester 4. 

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 forms of instruction that are based primarily on use of the internet place greater demands on the student’s own activity when compared to a purely campus-based programme.

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 programme integrates formats inspired by a pedagogy that offers 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.

The forms of examination include individual essays, active participation in internet based and face-to-face seminars as well as team assignments. Both master theses are presented and defended at public seminars and with an opponent/critical discussant. The student should thus act both as defendant and as opponent/critical discussant.
 

The course syllabuses describe in more detail the contents, teaching and working methods, and examination.

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in social sciences or humanities or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Threshold requirements

To be admitted to the first Master's Thesis Course the student must have succesfully passed at least 6 of the credits in Analytical Tools. 

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.

To be admitted to the fourth semester the student must have succesfully passed at least 60 credits, including the first Master's Thesis Course. 

Degree requirements

The student will be awarded the degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) in Gender Studies with specialization Intersectionality and Change provided all course requirements, including the 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 Arts (60 credits) in Gender Studies with specialization Intersectionality and Change).
 

Course requirements to achieve a degree can be found in Appendix 2 to the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). Precise requirements for general degrees at first-cycle and second-cycle level can be found in LiU's current regulations.

A degree certificate will be issued by the faculty board on application by the student. A diploma supplement will be included as an appendix to the degree certificate.

Degree in Swedish

Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområde Genusvetenskap alternativt Filosofie magisterexamen med huvudområde Genusvetenskap

Degree in English

Degree of Master of Arts (60/120 credits) with a major in Gender Studies

Specific information

Teaching language

The teaching language is English.
 

Transferred credits

Decisions about transferring credit are taken by the faculty board, or by a person designated by the board, after application from the student.

Other information

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this programme syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.