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MPhil in Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies

Master of Philosophy Degree Course
Full-time, one year

University of Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies

Course structure

The MPhil is a 1 year research degree, with a substantial taught component. In the first two terms students will follow three mandatory courses.

1. Gender Theory and Controversy

This survey course of lectures introduces key areas of controversy in Gender Studies and functions as an intellectual history of contemporary gender theory. It gives students the chance to analyse why gender scholars (or other relevant thinkers) disagree and what it is they disagree about. There is an emphasis on fostering students' abilities to critically assess the ontological and epistemological assumptions characteristic of different theoretical approaches: and to critically evaluate their empirical research potential.

2. Gender Studies Research Methodologies

This course is designed to prepare students for primary research. The course includes general methods sessions on for example, research design; the collection, management and analysis of data (quantitative and qualitative); and research ethics and how to present research in dissertation form. Additionally, students are taught to critically evaluate various research methods and to compare the value of different methodological techniques and approaches to gender analysis.

Social Science Methods modules are taught jointly with other social science departments in Cambridge and have their own administrator and director. Some modules have choices within them to cater for different levels of prior training.

  1. IT skills, database management, statistical and qualitative analysis software
  2. Survey Methods
  3. Statistical Methods
  4. Qualitative Methods

3. Text Course

This aims to scrutinize a series of primary texts with Centre staff and academic experts from 23 University Departments across the Arts, Humanities, (Natural) Sciences and Social Sciences within the University of Cambridge. Students will be introduced to the variety of ways in which gender analysis can be applied to the study of a wide range of topics.

4. Gender Research Seminar

In addition to the three core courses above, there is a Multi-disciplinary Gender Research Seminar which will convene at least four times a term Michaelmas (Autumn) and Lent (Spring) only. The purpose of this seminar series is to present front-line research in the multi-disciplinary study of Gender by senior scholars within and beyond Cambridge, as well as by junior academics, post-doctoral research fellows and advanced graduate students. These seminars will be a compulsory component of the MPhil.