Program Overview

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Introduction to the MA in Women's Studies

The MA in Women's Studies is a one-year full-time course or a part-time course over two years. The programme has been taught at University College Cork (UCC) since its inception. It involves a wide-ranging interdisciplinary programme, focusing on both theory and practice, examining women's roles and experiences globally and locally, and developing a range of transferable skills.

Programme Duration and Time Commitment

• Full-time students will have a minimum of six contact hours per week with staff from September to May. Between May and September, they will engage in supervised research. Core seminars are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to facilitate students with work and other commitments.
• Part-time students follow the same programme as full-time students in year 1 and have the same workload. In year 2, they work only on the dissertation.

Staff Student Interaction

The MA combines lectures, seminars, directed readings, and thesis research. There is an emphasis on student participation, and students will make at least one seminar presentation during the year. Opportunities are provided for students to meet with lecturers to discuss the prescribed readings and their dissertation research.

Course Content

During the first semester, students will be required to submit two essays:

• Feminist Methodologies WS6007 - 1 x 3000-word essay
• Feminist Theory WS6002 – 1 x 5,000-word essay

During the second semester, students will be required to submit four essays and give a 20-minute presentation:

• Gender and Society I WS6003 – 1 X 2,500 – 3,000-word essay
• Research Skills WS6008 – 1 x 5,000-word Literature Review essay + Presentation
• Gender and Society II WS6005 – 1 x 3,000-word essay
• Reflective journal entries and a 1x2000-word essay about the journal

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Objectives

• To offer students a postgraduate training that provides an overview of feminist theoretical perspectives and research methodologies.
• To build on an interdisciplinary approach to facilitate students in applying feminist theories and methodologies to an analysis of the roles of women in society.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Formulate arguments that reflect a critical and comprehensive, interdisciplinary knowledge of feminist debates around social and cultural issues.
• Communicate those arguments effectively both orally and in writing.
• Apply concepts, theories, and methodologies appropriately at postgraduate level.
• Assess how differences (race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity, time, place, values, etc.) inform theoretical positions.
• Critically evaluate evidence drawn from existing research and scholarship.
• Design and pursue independent research.
• Utilize those transferable skills developed through engagement with the self-directed learning, research, and academic writing aspects of the course.

Eligibility and Application Procedure

Applicants need to have an honours primary degree at 2H2 level or equivalent. If you have relevant experience in the areas of community work, industry, or the professions, you can also apply.

Candidates will be asked to submit an essay of around 1000 words on a book, experience, or personal contact which stimulated their interest in Women's Studies (a book review would be preferable). Further examples of applicants' work may be requested.

Graduate Flexi-Options

Some Women's Studies modules may be available to graduate flexi-options students. Women's Studies modules available in this scheme include:

• WS6003 Women in Society 1: Contextualising Women in Society (5 credits)
• WS6005 Women in Society II: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (15 credits)

Entry Requirements for Graduate Flexi-options

Applicants for Graduate Flexi-Options modules are expected to meet the entry requirements of the programme that the module is part of.

Flexi-Options Closing Dates

The closing dates for application for flexi-options are as follows:

• Semester one modules: 30 August
• Semester two modules: 30 November