Gender and Women’s Studies in the Middle East/North Africa (M.A.)

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Master of Arts in Gender and Women’s Studies in the Middle East/North Africa

The graduate program in Gender and Women’s Studies offers advanced study in three tracks:

Gender and Women’s Studies in the Middle East/North Africa,
Gender and Justice,
Gender and Development in the Middle East/North Africa.

The graduate program in gender and women’s studies prepares graduates for a wide variety of professional careers. Specialists in gender and women’s studies are being hired as consultants in international development agencies, local NGO’s, national government agencies and regional universities all of which require people who has special training in understanding gender relations. Students wishing to pursue doctoral work will find that interdisciplinary training in gender and women’s studies equips them with theoretical and methodological strengths in most disciplines and applied research fields.

Gender and Women’s Studies in the Middle East/North Africa

This specialization offers an interdisciplinary field of analysis that draws its questions from the social sciences and humanities through investigating how relations of gender are embedded in social, political, and cultural formations.

Gender and Justice

The graduate specialization in gender and justice offers advanced study of contemporary practices and problems of justice ranging from international justice regimes to national legal cultures to social and economic justice claims with a particular focus on the Global South.

Gender and Development in the Middle East/North Africa

The specialization in Gender and Development process analytic and conceptual skills for critical gender analysis across a broad range of development themes, policies and practices with a particular focus on the Middle East/North Africa region.

The requirements for the tracks are as follows

Specialization in Gender and Women’s Studies in the Middle East/North Africa

This track requires students to take GWST 500 in their first semester. This foundational course introduces students to essential theoretical concepts and provides an overview of the academic field. GWST 501, a second semester requirement, immerses students in a select high profile theme in contemporary gender and women’s studies. Finally, students are required to take one research methodologies course in their second or third semester: SOAN 505 or SOAN 506 or JRMC 504. The choice of research methodologies course is dependent on the research interests of the student and should be made in consultation with an IGWS advisor. Students select five electives at the 500 level across the social sciences and humanities from a selected list. Of these five courses, two 400 level courses may be considered for credit with the approval of the IGWS Graduate Advisory Committee. At maximum of two courses may be taken from other related areas at the 500 level with the approval of the IGWS Graduate Advisory Committee.

Specialization in Gender and Justice

This track requires students to take GWST 500 in their first semester. This foundational course introduces students to essential theoretical concepts and provides an overview of the academic field. Students furthermore required to take the foundational course for the Gender and Justice specialization, GWST 502 in their first semester. Finally, students are required to take one research methodologies course in their second or third semester: SOAN 505 or SOAN 506 or JRMC 504. The choice of research methodologies course is dependent on the research interests of the student and should be made in consultation with an IGWS advisor. Students select the remaining five courses from three course groups. Group 1: Geographies of Justice; Group 2: Conflict, Identity, Reconstruction; Group 3: The Gendered Subject of Law. Students must select at least one course from each group.

Specialization in Gender and Development in the Middle East

This track requires students to take GWST 500 in their first semester. This foundational course introduces students to essential theoretical concepts and provides an overview of the academic field. Students furthermore required to take the foundational course for the Gender and Development in the Middle East specialization, GWST 503 in their first semester. Finally, students are required to take two research methodologies courses in their second and third semester: SOAN 505 and SOAN 506. Alternative research methodologies courses can be selected in consultation with the IGWS Graduate Advisory Committee. Students select the remaining five courses from three course groups. Group 1 Issues in Gender and Development; Group 2: Gender, Development, Policy; Group 3: Development Practices. Students must select at least one course from each group.

Options

By keeping the requirements fairly flexible, students are able to put together a program most suitable for them. Students have three options: (1) an MA Thesis (2) A Comprehensive MA Exam or (3) Internship/Thesis.

MA Thesis

Students opting for the thesis must complete a thesis according to university regulations. Students must register for GWST 599. Before commencing work on the thesis, the student must have a thesis proposal approved by three faculty members, one of whom must be on the IGWS Graduate Advisory Committee. Students should familiarize themselves with the specific procedural requirements of the IGWS thesis. Guidelines are available in the IGWS office and on the web.

Comprehensive MA Exam

Students opting for the comprehensive exam will need to take two additional courses. Students must also register for GWST 588. Students should familiarize themselves with the specific procedural requirements of the IGWS comprehensive examination. Guidelines are available in the IGWS office and on the web.

Internship/Thesis

Students opting for the internship/thesis option must gain field experience in an international development agency, local NGO or other professional setting approved by the IGWS Graduate Advisory Committee over the period of one semester. In addition, students are required to write a 60 page thesis. Students must register for GWST 598. Students should familiarize themselves with the specific procedural requirements of the internship/thesis option. Guidelines are available in the IGWS office and on the web.

Admission

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program should have an undergraduate degree of high standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher). Prerequisites are often assigned depending on the individual student’s academic background. Students are admitted to the graduate degree program in the fall only.

Note

The list of electives for the three track specializations are reviewed by the IGWS Graduate Advisory Committee every academic year. This list is available on the IGWS graduate center website or in the IGWS office.

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