Postgraduate Programme Specification for MA Gender Sexualities and Ethnic Studies
|
Final award |
MA |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PGDip; PGCert |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
N/A |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
January 2005 |
Contents
This programme specification contains the following sections:
- Programme
summary - Aims & learning
outcomes - Programme
structure - Teaching, learning &
assessment strategies - Quality and
standard - Further
information - Apply
online
Profile section
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
The MA in Gender, Sexualities and Ethnic Studies in UEL aims to help students to develop a theoretical and empirical understanding of the diverse ways in which gender, sexualities and ethnic divisions are structured and interrelated. It acquaints students with key theoretical debates in this area as well as enable students to explore the ways these intersections occur in specific locations and case studies.
MA Gender, Sexualities and Ethnic Studies at UEL
The MA in Gender, Sexualities and Ethnic Studies at UEL is a unique p/g programme in the UK and would serve particular needs of both national and international students.
Nationally it will prepare and train students to work in the new directions in which anti-discrimination and equal opportunities work is developing. There is a growing concern with the interface and intersection of different social divisions. The government intends to abolish specialist modules that care for specific discriminations [eg the Women’s Equality Module; the Commission for Racial Equality] and replace these with a comprehensive Equality Module. The graduates of such a programme would have a unique advantage for work in this developing field and to affect its development.
Internationally, with the recent wave of ethnic, national and religious conflicts all over the world, ethnic and national processes have become of crucial importance and many international agencies and NGOs have developed to work in this area. Analyzing these global and local developments and their specific effects on women and men who are positioned differently in the society is the unique focus of this postgraduate programme.
Admission requirements
Applicants will normally have a first or upper second class degree or equivalent, or comparable professional or research experience. Applications from overseas and EU students are welcomed. Students whose first language is not English should normally have achieved a score of 7.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or equivalent. Eligibility for students without degree-equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of a short essay and statement. Places will be offered after a successful interview with a member of the programme team.
Programme structure
All students taking the MA will do the foundation module, two options (one in each semester), the research methods and approaches module and the dissertation module. Dissertations are submitted at the end of September. An MA in Gender, Sexualities and Ethnic Studies will be awarded on successful completion of the whole programme (180 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma in Gender, Sexualities and Ethnic Studies will be awarded to students who successfully complete the foundation module, two options and either the research methods module or a third option (120 credits). A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the foundation module and one option (60 credits). Programme assessment is normally by seminar presentation, essays, research projects, media practice and a dissertation, which may include a production component. There are no exams.
Learning environment
The programme will include teaching in lectures and seminars as well as research workshops. It will rely heavily on independent work of students in libraries, the internet and in the field.
Assessment
The assessment of the programme will be based on different forms of course work, such as essays, book reviews and class presentations as well as on a final dissertation.
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
Each student would have to submit a dissertation of about 15.000 at the end of their study which would focus on either a theoretical issue or on a case study relevant to the programme.
Added value
N/A
Your future career
Community and local authority workers in the area of Equal Opportunities and other anti-discrimination arenas; Human Rights and Development workers in international NGOs; Academic careers in Cultural Studies and Social Studies.
How we support you
The Programme director and the other members of the teaching staff will provide close and personal supervision during the whole period of study and especially in dissertation time.
Outcomes section
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- To develop a theoretical and empirical understanding of the diverse ways in which gender, sexualities and ethnic divisions are structured and interrelated.
- To a nalyze global and local social, political and economic developments and their specific effects on women and men who are positioned differently in the society.
- To prepare for work in the Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination field nationally and internationally.
- To provide a firm theoretical and methodological foundation to students who want to continue and study for a further research degree in related fields.
What will you learn?
Knowledge of
- Epistemological and ontological bases of social divisions and their intersection
- Issues related to the effects of differential social positionings on identities, citizenship and belongings.
- Notions of human rights and their differential implications to people in differential social and spatial locations.
Thinking skills
- Critical evaluation of social and cultural theorizations.
- Analysis of situated social, cultural and political phenomena
- Interrelating macro and micro social phenomena
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Library and internet search
- Essay and dissertation writing
- Conducting independent research projects
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Presentation and communication of ideas
- Working in small groups
- Analytical thinking
Structure section
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 for Masters, 120 for PgDip and 60 credits for the PGCert.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is either 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical full-time student will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a typical part-time student will study one 30 credit module per semester. Dissertations will be worked on over the summer (a third, non-teaching semester).
|
- | Semester A | Semester B | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time |
- |
- |
- |
| Year 1 |
Intersectionality and Social Exclusions (30 credits) | Option (30 credits) |
- |
| Year 2 | Option (30 credits) |
Research Methods (Social Sciences) (30 credits) Dissertation (60 credits) | Dissertation (continued) |
| Full-time |
- |
- |
- |
| Year 1 |
Intersectionality and Social Exclusions (30 credits) Option (30 credits) |
Research Methods (Social Sciences) (30 credits) Option (30 credits) Dissertation (60 credits) |
Dissertation (continued) |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment section
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through
- Reading
- Internet search
- Field work
Thinking skills are developed through
- Critical evaluation of theories
- Critical evaluation of research
- Critical evaluation of policies
Practical skills are developed through
- Seminar and other forms of small group work
- Independent research
- Writing essays, projects, dissertation
- Class presentations
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- Ability to assimilate information, identity and evaluate arguments in programme and other materials
- Research and writing skills, including to the ability to summarise articles, compare and contrast arguments
- The ability to work in groups, and to coordinate and communicate with others
- Individual oral presentation skills as well as the ability to listen to others and ask appropriate questions to facilitate discussion
- Ability to use IT for research, project, essay, dissertation and presentations, as well as the ability to access electronic date
- Time management and organisational skills
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- Class presentations of specific literature
- Research projects on specific case studies
- Dissertation on a particular case study
Thinking skills are assessed by
- Group discussions
- Evaluation of literature
- Essay and dissertation writing
Practical skills are assessed by
- Use of IT
- Research work
- Oral presentations
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- Working to deadlines
- Writing essays and projects
- oral presentations
Quality section
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments
- Attending assessment boards
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
- Ensuring that regulations are followed
- Providing feedback to UEL through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on course committees (meeting 6 times year)
- Student/Staff consultative committee (meeting 3 times a year
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the course committee
- a newsletter published three times a year
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
-
Communications with former students
Further Information section
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The student handbook: http://www.uel.ac.uk/cultural-innovation/
- Module study guides: http://www.uel.ac.uk/cultural-innovation/
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www .uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- School web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/hss/
Apply online
Admission Requirements
Applicants will normally have a first or upper second class degree or equivalent, or comparable professional or research experience. Applications from overseas and EU students are welcomed. Students whose first language is not English should normally have achieved a score of 7.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or equivalent. Eligibility for students without degree-equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of a short essay and statement. Places will be offered after a successful interview with a member of the programme team.
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