Master of Arts (Women's Studies) - Bedford Park - South Australia - Flinders University - I2790

The course is designed to develop an appreciation of the rich, diverse and rapidly growing field of Women's Studies; to extend students' critical understanding and practice within the boundaries of a discipline area; to develop the capacity to apply interdisciplinary approaches to feminist questions; and to develop the conceptual and analytical thinking, and the research and writing skills, necessary to complete a successful thesis. Learning outcomes Students successfully completing the course will be able to: * identify and apply interdisciplinary approaches to feminist questions; * analyse, evaluate and apply advanced theories of gender and feminism; * identify limitations and strengths in existing scholarship on gender and feminism; * use feminist epistemology to critically analyse gender within disciplinary boundaries; * research issues in advanced gender studies and feminism independently; * communicate complex ideas in speech and writing.

Basic entry - offers a 72-unit program of study comprising the program for the Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development plus an additional 36 units as set out for advanced entry. This program would normally be available to applicants who hold an approved degree or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature. Credit may be granted, on application, for comparable prior studies. Advanced entry - offers a 36-unit program of study to suitable qualified applicants who have successfully completed one of the following: * an honours degree in Women's/Gender Studies; * a four-year bachelors degree in Women's/Gender Studies; * Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development, or an approved equivalent.

Master of Arts (Women's Studies)

The Master of Arts (Women's Studies) is a 72-unit program which incorporates the graduate program(s) available in Women's Studies. There are two levels of entry into the program - basic and advanced.

The course is offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and can be taken by coursework or research and is offered on a fee-paying basis only for students in the coursework stream.

PROGRAM OF STUDY  [November, 2008]

To qualify for the Master of Arts (Women's Studies), a student must complete a 72-unit program with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

    * the 36 units required for the Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development (advanced entry students receive 36 units of credit);
    * an additional 36 units of core and elective topics as set out below.

Candidates undertaking the advanced entry program may choose one of the following streams:

Coursework stream
Independent, supervised study leading to a 12- or 18-unit thesis;
12 units of core topics as set out below;
6 or 12 units of elective topics.

Research stream
Independent, supervised study leading to a 24-unit thesis;
12 units core topics as set out below.

Core topics

WMST9000A
    

MA (Women's Studies) Thesis
    

18

WMST9000B
    

MA (Women's Studies) Thesis
    

12

WMST9000C
    

MA (Women's Studies) Thesis
    

3

WMST9000D
    

MA (Women's Studies) Thesis
    

9

WMST9000E
    

MA (Women's Studies) Thesis
    

6

WMST9000P
    

MA (Women's Studies) Thesis [for part-time students only]
    

24

WMST9003
    

Feminist Questions
    

6

WMST9009
    

Women's Studies Research Strategies, or
    

6

WMST9009A
    

Women's Studies Research Strategies
    

3
    

plus
    

DVST9020
    

Research Induction
    

3/6

Elective topics*

ASST9012
    

Women in Asia
    

6

DVST9041
    

Gender, Public Health and International Development (distance education via Web)
    

6

DVST9043
    

Gender Analysis
    

6

DVST9044
    

Gender Mainstreaming
    

6

INTR9007
    

Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development
    

6

WMST7014
    

Feminist Political Perspectives: The Challenges to Political Theory
    

6

WMST8045
    

A Walk on the Wild Side: Gender and International Politics
    

6

WMST8046
    

Engendering Justice, Rights and Representation: Gender, State and Citizenship
    

6

WMST9005
    

Critique and Construct in Feminist Knowledge#
    

6

WMST8041
    

Indigenous Women's Voices: Negotiating Differences
    

6

WMST8048
    

Women in World Religions
    

6

WMST9007
    

Women's Studies: Reading Topic
    

6

WMST9013
    

Women's Studies: Critical Theory
    

6

WMST9014
    

Sisters in Law: Sex Gender and the Law**
    

6

Except with permission of the Faculty Board:

    * no topic may be attempted more than twice;
    * the program must be completed full-time within three consecutive semesters or part-time within six consecutive semesters.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in 12 or more units may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

* Candidates should consult the postgraduate convener for the list of topics available in any one year.

** Students who have undertaken WMST7012 may not enrol for WMST9014.

# Students who choose the two 3-unit option of Women's Studies Research Strategies and Research Induction will not be eligible to enrol in Critique and Construct which also contains a research induction component.