Program Overview

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Key information

Duration

2-years (Max. 3-years)

Start of programme

April and October

Attendance mode

Online learning (part-time)

Fees

MA/MSc: £12,000 PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards.

Entry requirements

A minimum lower second class honours degree (or equivalent). We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds.

Course overview

This online MA Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics programmes provides a comprehensive understanding of the deployment of gender and sexuality in areas related to global politics.

Informed by feminist approaches to knowledge production, International Relations, International Law, conflict resolution, peace-building, political participation, human rights, development and society the programme encompasses micro, meso and macro levels of analysis.

This unique interdisciplinary MA programme offers critical grounded knowledge of gender and sexuality in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with a focus on the nexus between gender, sexuality and social, political and economic change and development.

This online MA degree prepares students for jobs in government agencies, non-governmental organisations, UN bodies and international organisations. Delivered by leading scholars and drawing on SOAS expertise in the Global South, the programme provides students with a non-Eurocentric approach to addressing key debates in the field.

Who should apply

The MA Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics online programme is designed for recent graduates as well as professionals who are looking to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in government, education, NGOs, media and the UN.

Structure

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously delivered as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

All students will take a compulsory Dissertation with a value of 60 credits.

Compulsory modules

Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics (Online) - 30 credits

This module is at the intersection between feminist/queer and political analysis. It prioritizes critical feminist approaches to knowledge production and feminist and queer interventions in the study of global political and socio-economic processes.

Gender and Social Inequality - 30 credits

This module provides an overview of the major contemporary issues in gender and social inequality, which cut across all areas of policy and development practice in both the developed and developing world. The module examines definitions, concepts and theories of sex, gender and identity; it examines the historical emergence and evolution of various types of feminism; and it examines the ways in which gender inequality can be addressed - and sustainable development promoted - through policy and in practice.

Gender, Conflict and the Middle-East (Online) - 30 credits

This module offers insight into key issues in the study of gender and conflict in the Middle East. It provides a focus for students interested in women’s studies, feminism, sexuality and gender, while also offering a gendered approach to the study of conflict in the Middle East.

Guided options

Students will select 30 credits from the list of modules below

List of modules (subject to availability)

Gender and Security in Africa (online) - 30 credits

This module will examine how the primary functions of the sovereign state such as governance and security and the most visible manifestations of state security, war and militarism, both construct and are sustained by specific masculinities and femininities. By exploring feminist theoretical interventions on normative understandings of security, the connections between feminist knowledge production, policy influencing and praxis will be articulated. Through interactive seminars, students will develop a critical approach to gender and security through the examination of emerging approaches to thinking about safety and security by feminist movements in Africa. The role of these approaches in shifting both normative understandings of security and contributing to expanding existing feminist theories on gender and security beyond the human security framework will be explored. This module offers a unique blend of both theoretical approaches, policy interrogation and a focus on theory building from below through an emphasis on movements working on the frontline of contemporary security challenges in Africa. As the only gender and security module with a focus on Africa on offer at SOAS, this is a bespoke introductory module for students seeking to develop a critical perspective on gender and security and African feminist interventions.

Digital Diplomacy (Online) - 30 credits

This module addresses a crucial element of contemporary Diplomacy and international affairs, the role of digital technologies in practices, processes and language of diplomacy. As such, it will respond to rapidly changing environments for diplomacy and international relations. It will ask whether, how and in which days does the use of digital technologies in public diplomacy, soft power, propaganda, influence and persuasion and link these questions to trends and changes in policies and decision making. In addition, it will adopt a holistic view of processes and practices, considering how both state and non-state actors are using the expanding digital spaces and platforms and what these mean for conventional understanding of diplomacy.

Global Diplomacy: Global Citizenship and Advocacy (Online) - 30 credits

Global Diplomacy: Global Citizenship and Advocacy.

Muslim Minorities in a Global Context (Online) - 30 credits

Muslim Minorities in a Global Context (Online)

Cultural Diplomacy (Online Module) - 30 credits

This module will tackle the important topic of Cultural Diplomacy, an increasingly vital component of public diplomacy and international relations. The module will investigate the role of culture as a soft power tool to be used as a solution for bridge building and international dialogue, with the consideration that the 21st Century world’s challenges, such as migration, radicalization and climate change are largely culture based.

The module will address the theories of culture and diplomacy and their relationship to one another, whilst asking the questions: ‘how has globalization changed the way in which diplomacy is practiced?’ and ‘how can the use of culture foster more effective diplomatic practices?’.

The Cultural Diplomacy module will focus on a study of the key traditional building blocks of cultural diplomacy – public diplomacy, propaganda and soft power – to enable students to gain an in depth understanding of where cultural diplomacy fits within the larger international affairs arena, and to equip them with the skills they need to develop as cultural diplomacy practitioners.

Students will additionally gain an understanding of the non-state actor led practice of cultural relations and the key actors engaged in this field, including artists, citizens, NGOs, corporates and academics, allowing students to develop a well rounded academic foundation in the complex field of cultural diplomacy.

All modules are subject to availability and are subject to change from session to session.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered 100% online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

In the VLE you will have access to learning materials and course resources anytime so you can fit your studies around your existing commitments. For each module, students will be provided with access, through the SOAS Library, to all necessary materials from a range of appropriate sources.

A key component of the student experience will be peer to peer learning, with students enrolled in discussion forums.

Study timetable

In addition to a dedicated Associate Tutor, a Study Timetable is provided for each module and for the overall programme to help you to organise your time.

The programme is broken down into two study sessions per year (starting April and October). Each subject module lasts 16 weeks, followed by a research mini module lasting 8 weeks.

Sample study timetable

Activity| Description
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Substantive module| 16 weeks
Reading weeks| 2 weeks
Research mini module| 8 weeks
Reading weeks| 2 weeks

Fees and funding

MA/MSc| PGDip*| PGCert
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£12,000| See below| See below

PGDip and PGCert are available as exit awards. Interested students should get in touch directly with the course team

See online learning fees for further information.

Pay as you learn

Our online programmes can be paid in full at the time of enrolment or on a pay as you learn basis. Pay as you learn means you pay for modules prior to enrolment.

Postgraduate loans

If you have been a resident in England for three years you may be eligible. For more information, please see fees and finance.

Employment

Graduates leave SOAS with an enhanced knowledge of gender and equality across cultures, as well as a wide range of transferable skills. Gender Studies is highly regarded by employers across many sectors, as increasingly, policy makers, businesses and governing structures understand the need to engage with gender and sexuality.

Recent Gender Studies graduates have been hired by:

• ActionAid
• Amnesty International
• Association for Women’s Rights in Development
• Commission for Gender Equality
• Euromet Feminist Initiative
• International Organization for Migration
• International Rescue Committee
• Raising Films
• The Children’s Society
• The Guardian

Find out about our Careers Service.