MA (Women's Studies)

Overview

The MA (Women's Studies) is offered as a full-time interdisciplinary programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme or as a part-time programme taken over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. The teaching team is drawn from a range of departments/schools which may vary from year to year, but has usually come from among the following:

  • Applied Social Studies
  • English
  • Folklore
  • French
  • History
  • Law
  • Philosophy
  • Sociology

Students will pursue a taught programme that involves research skills training, feminist research methodologies, feminist and gender theories and a series of seminars on Women, Gender and Society that address specific themes. These themes vary from year to year, but are likely to be chosen from among the following:

  • Representations of Gender in History, Literature and Popular Culture
  • Masculinities
  • Motherhood
  • Women, Work and Family
  • Women and Violence
  • Gender, Embodiment and Sexual Identity, including foundational aspects of Queer Theory
  • The Women's Movement
  • Gender and Social Policy
  • Women and Politics

Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Candidates who pass Part I and opt not to proceed to Part II of the Master's programme may register for WS6006 and, on successful completion of WS6006, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Women’s Studies. Students must submit WS6006 assignments (project or project and conference report) to the Department by the second Friday in September in the same academic year or may register for WS6006 in the following academic year (part-time), following completion of Part I.

Candidates who pass Part I and opt to proceed to Part II of the Master's programme and who fail, or fail to submit, Part II may register for WS6006 in the following academic year (part-time), and upon successful completion, will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Studies.

Postgraduate Certificate in Women's Studies (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)

Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Women's Studies.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements