Master of Philosophy in Gender and Development

Start-up Date

Autumn

Start-up Date

Autumn 2013. Normally, students will be admitted every second year

The Degree

The Master´s programme leads to the degree of Master of Philosophy in Gender and Development. It is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits).

Objectives / Contents

The main aims of the programme are to

1) provide comprehension of multi-level processes of development and the significance of gender in such processes, and

2) convey understanding of the notion of gender in an interdisciplinary perspective and its complex analytical applications.

The programme offers a critical and contextual perspective on both "development" and "gender." It emphasises global and ethical reflection, while at the same time retaining a perspective "from below" which is sensitive to local values and ideas. The GAD approach to methodology is gender sensitive and draws on feminist epistemologies and ethics. The emphasis is mainly on qualitative methods, but training is offered in interpreting quantitative data material. Research ethics is an integral part of the teaching throughout the course.

Objectives / Contents

The main goals of the programme are to enable you to 1) understand multi-level processes of development and the significance of gender in such processes, and 2) understand the notion of gender in an interdisciplinary perspective and be able to apply it as a complex analytical tool. You should familiarise yourself with key concepts and domains of gender analysis. You should learn to examine local level gendered patterns of social organisation, as well as understanding gender in a cross-cultural perspective. You should be able to understand the gendered aspects of poverty and vulnerability and of global socio-economic and political processes, including the role of the various institutional players involved in such processes. You should also be able to understand gender mainstreaming and the gendered consequences of more specifically targeted development policies as well as the potential of gender for political mobilisation.

The programme aims to enable you to trace the conceptual and policy trajectory from economic growth to human development, understood as a framework for socio-political and economic development as well as individual psychological development. In this broad perspective, the aim of human development processes is the improvement of people´s choices and capability of achieving a decent standard of living and equality in health and education. The ultimate goal of human development is to create human environments that are supportive of empowerment, democracy and human security.

Programme profile

The programme aims to offer a critical and contextual perspective on both ´development´ and ´gender´. The programme focuses on developing your ability to reflect in both global and ethical terms, while at the same time retaining a perspective ´from below´ which is sensitive to local values and ideas. Methodologically, the focus will be on qualitative research techniques, but you will also be trained in the reading and interpretation of quantitative material.

Programme structure

The theoretical part of the programme will be offered during the first semester through two different courses: Gender Analysis: critical cross-cultural approaches, and Critical Perspectives on Development Processes: From economic growth to human development. During the second semester, the programme offers a course on methodology and theory of science, a project proposal seminar and optional courses. Optional MA level courses can be chosen from the selection of English language 300 level courses available at the university on the basis of each student´s specialisation.

Master thesis

The theoretical part of the study should prepare you for independent research, which should be based on data collected through fieldwork. Fieldwork should be performed in the summer/early autumn between the second and third semesters. The third and fourth semesters will be devoted to writing your thesis. Through the work on the Master´s thesis, as well as through selective courses, you should develop your own academic specialisation on the basis of your fields of interest.

Start-up Date

Autumn

Start-up Date

Autumn 2013. Normally, students will be admitted every second year

Admission requirements

Prospective students for the Master´s programme in Gender and Development must have completed a first degree (Bachelor´s degree) of at least three years´ duration at a recognised institution of higher education or an equivalent education approved by the University Board. The candidate must document special competence equalling one and a half years of study (90 ECTS) in a field or specialisation relevant to gender and/or development issues. Other specialisations may be deemed to be equivalent.

Applicants must document proficiency in the English language in accordance with specified requirements, as English is the language used in teaching, examinations and the thesis.

Who may apply

• Self-financing degree students
• Applicants for the Quota Scheme

Study Period Abroad

It is presumed that most of the international students will return to their home countries to do fieldwork. Norwegian students are also encouraged to perform their research abroad but this is not a requirement.

Credits

4 semesters (2 years) - full-time study

Start-up Date

Autumn 2013. Normally, students will be admitted every second year

Objectives / Contents

The main aims of the programme are to

1) provide comprehension of multi-level processes of development and the significance of gender in such processes, and

2) convey understanding of the notion of gender in an interdisciplinary perspective and its complex analytical applications.

The programme offers a critical and contextual perspective on both "development" and "gender." It emphasises global and ethical reflection, while at the same time retaining a perspective "from below" which is sensitive to local values and ideas. The GAD approach to methodology is gender sensitive and draws on feminist epistemologies and ethics. The emphasis is mainly on qualitative methods, but training is offered in interpreting quantitative data material. Research ethics is an integral part of the teaching throughout the course.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the study programme, the students should be able to account for and critically apply key concepts relating to gender analysis. They should be able to examine local-level gendered patterns of social organisation. They should also be able to discuss gender in a cross-cultural perspective and the potential of gender for political mobilisation and development.

They should be able to trace the conceptual and policy trajectory from economic growth to human development. The students should also demonstrate understanding of the gendered aspects of poverty and vulnerability, of global socio-economic and political processes, and the role of the various institutional players involved in such processes. Furthermore, they should be able to draw a critical picture of the gendered consequences of more specifically targeted development policies. Through the master thesis, the students should demonstrate skills in formulating research questions, and plan, carry out and report on an independent research project.

The theoretical part of the programme is intended to prepare students for independent research, which should be based on data collected through fieldwork (Master´s thesis, 60 ETCS). Fieldwork, which is a compulsory part of the course in research methodologies, should be carried out in the summer/early autumn between the 2nd and 3rd semesters.

Through work on the Master´s thesis and through elective courses, own academic specialisation in the student´s field of interest is facilitated.

The theoretical part of the programme will be taught in the first semester: Gender Analysis: Critical cross-cultural approaches (15 ECTS) and Critical Perspectives on Development Processes: From economic growth to human development (15 ECTS).

During the second semester, the programme offers a course on Methodology and theory of sciences (15 ECTS) and optional courses (10 ECTS). Optional MA level courses can be chosen to suit each student´s specialisation from the selection of English language 300-level courses available at the university. The programme board will play an active part in the selection of courses.

The project proposal, which should be completed during the course of the second semester, is worth 5 ECTS.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students for the Master´s programme in Gender and Development must have completed a first degree (Bachelor´s degree) of at least three years´ duration at a recognised institution of higher education or an equivalent education approved by the University Board. The candidate must document special competence equalling one and a half years of study (90 ECTS) in a field or specialisation relevant to gender and/or development issues. Other specialisations may be deemed to be equivalent.

Applicants must document proficiency in the English language in accordance with specified requirements, as English is the language used in teaching, examinations and the thesis.

Compulsory courses

GAD301 Gender Analysis: Critical cross-cultural approaches (15 ECTS)

GAD302 Critical Perspectives on Development Processes: From economic growth to human development (15 ECTS)

Optional courses (10ECTS)

GAD305 Practical and theoretical research methodologies (20 ECTS)

GAD350 Master´s thesis (60 ECTS)

GAD301 Gender Analysis: Critical cross-cultural approaches (15 ECTS)

GAD302 Critical Perspectives on Development Processes: From economic growth to human development (15 ECTS)

Optional courses (10ECTS)

GAD305 Practical and theoretical research methodologies (20 ECTS)

GAD350 Master´s thesis (60 ECTS)

Master thesis credits

The theoretical part of the study should prepare you for independent research, which should be based on data collected through fieldwork. Fieldwork should be performed in the summer/early autumn between the second and the third semester. The third and fourth semester will be devoted to thesis writing.

Through the work with the master's thesis, as well as through selective courses, you should develop your own academic specialisation according to your fields of interest.

Master thesis 100 pages (60 ECTS)

Study Period Abroad

It is presumed that most of the international students will return to their home countries to do fieldwork. Norwegian students are also encouraged to perform their research abroad but this is not a requirement.

Teaching methods

The programme combines different forms of teaching and educational tools, including lectures, seminars and workshops. Emphasis is placed on developing students´ ability to critically read their own and others´ work. Moreover, it is considered important to give the students training in academic writing skills, various research techniques and research ethics.

Language of instruction is English.

Assessment methods

The students will be presented to different forms of assessment like written exams, home-exam, essays and portfolio assessment.

Further studies

A Master´s degree in Gender and Development formally qualifies the student for further studies on PhD level.

Professional Prospects

Mainstreaming of gender in development processes is a priority for all development agencies, whether multilateral, bilateral, or NGOs; and Human Development is the overarching goal of most donors. A Master's degree in Gender and Development gives the candidates a broad competence within the field, and should give qualifications for jobs in the many development aid organizations, in the UN-system, with bilateral donors and NGOs, as well as in different parts of National and local public administration.

Evaluation

The programme board and the programme auditore will evaluate the results in accordance with the Faculty of Psychology´s evaluation and quality system.

Programme committee

Dept. of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology.

Contact information

Faculty of Psychology.