Master of Social Science in Gender Studies

This qualification provides for graduate training in the field of gender studies. The purpose is twofold

1. To develop capacity in research in the field of gender studies in Southern Africa.
2. To provide well educated and trained graduates to contribute to transformation in the new South Africa through their work in the public service, NGOs, research and development agencies, education, gender desks in the corporate sector, gender sensitive researchers and policy makers in both public and private sectors.

Appropriate Honours degree. Entry is also possible through University of Natal's Rule 33 for postgraduate study.

• Demonstrate satisfactory competence in the substantive issues presented in the core course Gender, Politics and Theory
• Demonstrate critical judgement in relation to theoretical debates in gender theory
• Work in a collaborative capacity on research and / or development issues in gender studies
• Understand the social construction of femininities and masculinities
• Show evidence of gender sensitivity in relation to a diverse range of issues
• Compare, analyse and synthesise academic sources from South Africa on gender issues
• Locate questions of local and national significance in South Africa in the broader context of the region and the global context of contemporary South African life
• Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of a selected range of legislative and policy issues in post 1994 South Africa and the capacity to critique these using gender as a category of analysis
• Provide evidence of the capacity to undertake research under supervision
• Demonstrate a mastery of concepts, theories and substantive issues of relevance to development in South Africa through study of elective courses in gender studies
• Demonstrate mastery of the literature in the field of inquiry and show the ability to compare and evaluate this literature as well as to synthesise
• Select appropriate methodologies for the design and analysis of research data in gender studies
• Demonstrate the ability to apply gender as a category of analysis to a selected range of issues in gender studies
• Manifest an understanding of the intersection of gender with other important social variables such as class, race, age, ethnicity, religion and sexuality
• Handle a range of sources of academic material on gender issues
• Conduct independent research towards a dissertation
• Where appropriate, demonstrate the capacity to translate research findings into policy recommendation and materials or develop instruments to disseminate the research in a manner that promotes transformation.

• Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the core elements of the programme as prescribed at each level
• Demonstrate specific research skills such as the ability to critically evaluate text using one or more of a range of gender theories as categories of analysis
• Present, using academic conventions, the findings of research
• Address an audience based on background research and engage them in interaction on a topic in gender studies
• Apply Gender Theory to personal and/or professional environment in written and oral presentations
• Carry out a substantial independent research project conforming to acknowledged scholarly protocols

Integrated Assessment

Assessment employs a range of methods including oral and written assignments, applications of theory to the work place and/or personal experience of student, multimedia presentations, essays and critical reviews.

Details are provided in the module template.