Programme Description

This course is designed to provide a critical understanding of the current scholarship on the position and representation of gender in society. Drawing on insights and perspectives from a number of academic fields, the course is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. The core of the course is provided by modules in Feminist Theories and Feminist Research Methodologies.

Full-time M.Phil./Diploma

Students taking the full-time M.Phil./Diploma will take both required and elective courses in Michaelmas (1st) and Hilary (2nd) terms. During this time they will complete four coursework essays. At the beginning of Trinity (3rd) term, members of the Executive Committee and the Academic Co-ordinator will meet with each student to review her/his progress and decide if the student is to proceed to the M.Phil. degree or to a diploma. Eligibility to proceed to the M.Phil. will include a 2.2 grade in three of the coursework essays and a pass in the fourth. However, the decision to proceed will be based not only on minimum requirements but on other factors such as student preference and circumstances.

Those students who proceed to the M.Phil. will undertake a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. Research methods seminar will continue during Trinity term and students will commence regular meetings with their dissertation supervisors and submit their completed dissertation in September.

Those students who proceed to the diploma will have tutorials in Trinity term and complete an extended fifth essay by the end of July.

Part-time M.Phil./Diploma

Students who enrol in a part-time M.Phil./Diploma in Women's Studies will follow the same course of study as full-time students but will do so over a two year period. In Year One, they will complete five courses and two essays; in Year Two they will complete five courses and two essays. During Trinity term of Year One, they will begin preliminary research for what will become either a substantial fifth essay or dissertation.

At the end of the course work in the second year, the progress of each student will be reviewed by the Academic Co-ordinator and members of the Executive Committee and a decision reached as to whether she/he will proceed to the M.Phil. degree or diploma. Eligibility to proceed to the M.Phil. will be the same as for the full-time M.Phil. Dissertations will be completed by the following September. The extended fifth essay will be completed by the end of July.