PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA Gender, Society and Representation
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2009-10 entry (Original specification – 2004)
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts and Humanities
Parent Department:
Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry (CMII)
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/gender-studies/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
The programme can be taken either full-time or part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
As used by CMII MA programmes
Length of the programme:
One calendar year full-time, two calendar years part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Taught Pathway: students must take the programme’s Core Course
assessed by 2 essays (30 CU); Research Methods assessed by 2
essays (15 CU); optional courses (75 CU) assessed accordingly,
submit a dissertation of 12,000 words.
Research Pathway: students must take the programme’s Core
Course and Research Methods as above; plus optional courses (45
CU) and a dissertation of 18,000 words.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
MA Gender, Society and Representation
N/A
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims
(a) to equip suitably qualified students with the advanced skills, methods, concepts and theories essential for the
study of aspects of gender in an interdisciplinary context at postgraduate level;
(b) to give students the opportunity to apply these advanced methods, concepts and theories in both general and
more specialised contexts;
(c) to introduce students to new and intellectually demanding areas of Gender Studies;
(d) to foster and develop students’ ability to think critically;
(e) to foster students’ ability to carry out independent research.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. selected aspects of interdisciplinary
gender studies at an advanced level
2. two or more specialised areas within
gender studies at an advanced level
3. key methods and concepts relevant to
the arts and humanities
4. key methods and concepts relevant to
the social and historical sciences
5. generic and subject-specific research
skills and methods relevant to both the
arts and humanities and the social and
historical sciences
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1-2 are acquired through participation in lectures and
seminars (Core course and Options), where students
learn how to present advanced material effectively,
analyse demanding texts critically, and construct
coherent arguments. Methods and concepts (3-5) are
acquired in the Core course, including (a) Research
Methods seminars, (b) Presentation and Research skills.
Research skills and methods are developed in part (a+b)
of the Core course. Methods, concepts and research
skills are applied both in the optional courses and in
writing the dissertation.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a combination of
assessed coursework in the form of assessed essays (15), a written dissertation (3-5 especially) and oral
presentation of the dissertation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Students should be able to:
1. reason critically at an advanced level
2. apply concepts relevant to the arts
and humanities and the social and
historical sciences at an advanced
level
3. identify and solve problems at an
advanced level
4. analyse and interpret at an advanced
level
5. demonstrate and exercise
independent thought at an advanced
level
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Intellectual skills are developed through the programme
outlines above. All courses involve a combination of the
most important concepts, practice in the application of
concepts in oral and written form, and the analysis and
interpretation of texts and evidence. Students are
encouraged to reflect on and improve their work by
means of feedback sessions on both presentations and
essays.
Assessment:
The forms of assessment listed above all place
emphasis on the student’s ability to demonstrate skills 15 by answering different types of questions (both orally
and in writing), by finding solutions to problems set, and
by producing coherent written arguments and oral
presentations. Essays allow students to develop
increasingly advanced research skills as well as greater
intellectual independence.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Students learn to draw on a range of skills
required to produce a piece of research at
postgraduate level, including the
following:
1. find, assess, evaluate and select
information from a variety of sources
2. plan and produce a piece of research,
based on a relevant and adequate
bibliography
3. apply key methods and concepts
relevant to both the arts and
humanities and the social and
historical sciences
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Over the entire programme, all students receive
guidance on how to identify, locate and use material
available in libraries and elsewhere. Students are
provided with comprehensive bibliographies for each
course, and they are also given help to produce
coursework essays. Throughout the programme,
students take part in classes on concepts relevant to the
arts and humanities and the social and historical
sciences.
Assessment:
Skills 1-3 are primarily assessed through assessed
coursework (essays). The dissertation is viewed as an
extension of such essay-writing, but with a far greater
emphasis on research, planning and independence.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1. structure and communicate complex
ideas effectively, both orally and in
writing
2. manage time and work to deadlines
3. participate constructively and critically
in groups
4. work independently and innovatively,
and be self-reliant
5. find information and use IT
6. assess the relevance and importance
of the ideas of others
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Skill 1 is developed by essay writing and presentations,
both with feedback from the teacher and constructive
criticism by peers, and also by the oral examination
(discretionary). Skill 2 is developed through the need to
meet deadlines for assessed essays while continuing
weekly preparation for classes, giving presentations and
participating in discussion groups. Skill 3 is developed
through discussion, presentations and group work in
lectures, seminars and tutorials. Skills 4 and 6 are
developed during the planning, structuring and writing of
the dissertation in particular. IT skills (5) are encouraged
through essay writing, where word-processing is
expected, and research, e.g. use of library catalogues on
the internet.
Assessment:
The effective communication of ideas (skill 1) is an
important criterion in assessing all areas of a student’s
work, and regular feedback as well as the final mark
reflect this. Skills 4 and 6 are assessed by both the
coursework and the dissertation which, although
supervised, are nevertheless the result of independent
thought and research by the student. Skill 5 is assessed
both indirectly, as students are expected to use library
catalogues and other material on line, and directly as
students are expected to rely on word-processing for
their essays and are assessed for the presentation of
their work as part of the overall assessment. Skill 2 is
assessed by default, with penalties for the late
submission of assessed work. Skill 3 is not formally
assessed.
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by
UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Federica Mazzara / Dr Ann Varley (from 1 September 2014)
Name(s):
Date of Production:
22 October 2003
Date of Review:
June 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee