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. The admission cycle is July of every year. An exit option with the PG Diploma is available after successful completion of the first two semesters.
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, and with familiarity with basic concepts and theories in Women’s and Gender Studies.
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. Many working adults also finds this programme valuable for professional and career enhancement.
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. Assignments may include innovative writings /other field based activities.
Programme Cordinators
- Additional fee charges may apply as per University norms
Online forum
A dedicated online forum is available for all MAWGS learners for interacting with faculty and for all types of academic assistance.
Radio Counselling (IRC) – Gyan Dhara
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Radio counselling will be held through F.M. and you can ask questions free of cost with phone in facilities right from your home. A toll free telephone number 110012345 has been provided for this purpose.
Telecast
The programme will also be telecasted through D.D. metro channel and schedule will be informed to students in advance.
Audio-video Programme
Audio and video programmes for each course have been prepared to support your learning. These Audio-video programmes in the form of cassettes are available at all Programme Study Centres. These Audio and video cassettes will be provided for viewing and listening. You can also hire the cassettes for viewing and listening.
Attendance
You will be required to complete 75 percent attendance in theory counselling to become eligible for appearing in Term-end Examination. Similarly, you will be required to complete 90% attendance in practical contact sessions to become eligible for appearing in practical examination.
Continuous Evaluation of Theory Component
Assignments
Assignment is a means of continuing assessment of theory and practical. Assignments will help you to recapitulate the theory and go back to the text again in case you are unable to answer a particular question. Thus assignments also help to reinforce learning in distance learning system of education. These assignments consist of a set of questions and activities that you will answer at your own place by referring your blocks. The assignments will cover all types of questions (long answer type, short answer type, objective type, multiple choice questions/case studies/activities/field work).). The assignments will carry 30 percent weightage. You will be required to obtain 50 percent marks as pass percentage in each assignment separately. Each assignment will carry 100 marks. In the final result assignments will carry 30 percent weightage.
Term-end Examination
As stated earlier, term-end examination is the major component of the evaluation system and if carries 70% weightage in the Final result. The University conducts term-end examination twice a year i.e., in June and December. You can take the examination only after completion of the course, failing which you can take the same in December or June of subsequent years years within the total span of the programme. In case you fail to get a pass score in the Tern-end Examination, you will be eligible to reappear at the next Term-end Examination for that course as and when if is held, within the total span of the programme.