19 March, 2024

Trivandrum
Regional Centre

|
Programmes

Master of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies (MAWGS)

Minimum Duration: 2 Years
Maximum Duration: 5 Years
Minimum Age: No bar
Maximum Age: No bar

Eligibility:


Students having a Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% aggregate.


Note : The programme fees is Rs. 3000 per semester.

Women’s and Gender Studies is an emerging area of academic inquiry today. Worldwide, several universities are now offering programmes in women’s and Gender studies at all levels.

The M.A in Women’s and Gender Studies at IGNOU is on offer from July 2013in distance mode. This 64 credit degree will equip students with the ability to deconstruct the complex power hierarchies and relationships operating in society, from the perspective of women and gender.

Click here for Programme Structure
 
 
Structure:
 
First Year (PG Diploma)
The first two semesters of the Programme will introduce students to core, foundational courses in the field of gender and women’s studies with the aim of disseminating knowledge and critical abilities in these areas. Students exiting with a PG Diploma will be qualified with the ability to situate women/ gender in both academic and social science contexts.
 
Second Year Specializations
The second year courses (third and fourth semesters) have been developed under two optional specializations, namely, “Gender, Literature & Culture” (Stream 1) and “Women’s Studies” (Stream 2).  The courses offered in the third and fourth semesters will be specific to the individual specializations. Students may opt for either of the two specializations for the Master’s degree.  Upon successful completion of the third and fourth semesters, students will obtain a “Master’s Degree in Gender & Women’s Studies” with a “Specialization in Gender, Literature & Culture” OR a “Specialization in Women’s Studies.” 
The specialization in Gender, Literature and Culture will enable students to familiarize themselves with salient topics in the humanities from the perspective of gender. Courses in third and fourth semesters will enhance their critical understanding of important issues such as marginalized cultural spaces, relationships between gender and discourse (especially literary), and the mutually constructive relationships between literature and society.
 
The specialization in Women’s Studies will expose students to multidisciplinary approaches of addressing historical and contemporary women’s issues. It will equip the students in conceptualizing and developing analytical skills required to understand women’s issues through praxis, research and practicum.

 

The focal areas for the programme include Concepts, Theories & Movements in Women’s & Gender Studies; Gender and Power; Gender through Arts and Media; Bodies & Sexualities; Research Methods; Women and Social Structure; Economy and Political Process; Gender; Literature; Culture; Postmodernism; Life Narratives; the Gendered Nation. 
 
Career Opportunities
Students completing the Master’s degree will be able to pursue careers in the areas of higher studies, teaching and research programmes, advocacy through national and international non-profit organizations/ institutions, Government as well as nongovernmental organizations/institutions, international organizations and careers in teaching, writing, editing, mass media, or opt for other  appropriate career options.
 
Target Groups
The programme is aimed at students with a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline wishing to pursue higher studies in the area of women’s and gender studies. Working professionals and adult  learners would also find the programme useful for knowledge enhancement and skill building in the area of women’s and gender studies, and for career advancement through acquired knowledge in these areas.
 
Admission Cycle
Due to the progressive nature of the programme, students are required to complete core foundation courses to be offered sequentially in semester 1 and semester 2 before proceeding further. Admissions for all students will be done on  annual basis in July cycle only.
 
Learner Support Mechanisms
Learners will be provided with academic support through counselling sessions, teleconferencing, radio counselling, television broadcasts, e-mail, e-groups and other appropriate blended learning methodologies.
 
Evaluation Methodology
Students will be evaluated on the basis of assignments and term-end exams for each course. Requirements for earning the degree include completion of the internship/ field-based research project work.
 
Programme Cordinators
Prof. Anu Aneja   Email : anuaneja@ignou.ac.in
Prof. Nilima Srivastava Email : nilimasrivastav@ignou.ac.in

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