Women's Studies

Introducing Women's Studies

An M.A. in Women’s Studies has been offered in UCC, under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts since 1991/2. The M.A. is a full-time postgraduate course. The course explores feminist theories and practice in order to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Women’s Studies as a discipline. It also provides a grounding in research skills.The distinctive characteristic of this M.A. is its interdisciplinary approach which offers rather more than a collection of Departmental contributions. Lecturers are drawn from a variety of academic disciplines, e.g.: literature, history, law, linguistics, folklore, sociology, philosophy, and applied social studies. However, the emphasis is placed on achieving a conceptually and pedagogically integrated structure.

Course Objective

Course Objectives

To offer students a postgraduate training that provides an overview of feminist theoretical perspectives and research methodologies.

To build on an interdisciplinary approach to facilitate students in applying feminist theories and methodologies to an analysis of the roles of women in society.

Course Content

There are four modules: Women in Society, Research Skills in Women's Studies, Feminist Theory and the Minor Thesis/Dissertation. 

Themes on Women and Society -  Students explore  arange of themes. these vary from year to year, depending on who is involved in the teaching team. They may include all or some of the following: Women in Literature, in History and in Popular Culture; Motherhood; Women, Work and Family;  the Women's Movement; Women and Social Policy; Women and Politics; Gender Violence; Sexuality; Linguistics; and Women and the Law. During the second semester, students may also have the opportunity to attend papers given by visiting speakers, members of UCC staff and postgraduates.

Research Skills in Women's Studies - This module supports students in acquiring the Women's Studies research skills needed to undertake an extended piece of research and writing. It will offer theoretical understandings of the research process and enable students to develop practical research skills. Students will also undertake a supervised review of literature relevant to their chosen research topic.

Feminist Theory - students study a range of texts that illustrate key historical and contemporary developments in feminist theory. They have an aooprtunity to assess the contributions of specific theories to feminist debates around social and political change and to consider how differences (race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity, time, place, values etc.) inform theoretical positions.

Assessment and Evaluation

There is a process of continuous assessment with a variety of methods used to assess students’ work: essays, seminar presentations, a literature review and a dissertation.

Staff Student Interaction

The M.A. combines lectures, seminars, directed readings and thesis research. There is an emphasis on student participation and students will make at least one seminar presentation during the year. Opportunities are provided for students to meet with lecturers to discuss the prescribed readings and their dissertation research. In addition, students can draw on the course coordinator as an advisor throughout the academic year.

Admission Requirements

Graduates with a good honours degree or its equivalent are eligible to apply for admission to the M.A. People with relevant experience in areas of community work, industry, or the professions are also invited to apply. Candidates will be asked to submit an essay of at least 1000 words on a book, experience, or personal contact which stimulated their interest in Women’s Studies. Further examples of applicants’ work may be requested. Candidates may be required to attend for an interview.

Application Procedure

Applications should be made through the Postgraduate Applications Centre.  The closing date for applications is 31st May 2012.  Late applications may be considered subject to availability of places.  Inquiries regarding admission should be directed to the Postgraduate Admissions Office, UCC at 021 4902829 or 021 4902645 or by e-mail at postgrad@ucc.ie.

If you would like further information on the course, do feel free to contact me at the number below.  I will be very happy to talk to you.
Dr Sandra McAvoy. T: +353-21-4903654    F: +353-21-4273369   E: sandra.mcavoy@ucc.ie