MA Gender Studies and Law
SOAS University of London
Key Information
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 11,980 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* full-time fees: UK £11,980; Overseas £23,400. Part-time 2 years fees: UK £5,990/year; Overseas £11,700/year. Part-time 3 years fees: UK £3,955/year; Overseas £7,725/year
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
The MA Gender Studies and Law at SOAS is a unique programme, its principal aim being to re-focus issues prioritised in western Gender Studies and Legal Theory on the complex specificities of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. Jointly housed by the Centre for Gender Studies and the School of Law, the programme offers the specialised study of gender and law in relation to the cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, together with rigorous training in, and questioning of, contemporary gender theory. In terms of gender theory, it offers a solid foundation with sufficient breadth and depth to facilitate a range of specialist pathways. In terms of specialisation, it draws on the expertise of internationally recognised scholars of Asian, African and Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS.
Gallery
Ideal Students
Who is this programme for?
The MA Gender Studies and Law at SOAS caters for students with a variety of backgrounds and objectives:
- Those coming from Women’s Studies or Gender Studies who wish to engage more deeply with gender theory in relation to regional specialisation and to connect this with legal knowledge, especially, but not exclusively, the societies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East;
- Those coming from Asian, African or Middle Eastern Studies who wish to incorporate the study of gender and law into their own areas of expertise; and
- Those having previously trained in particular disciplines, such as Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Cultural and Media Studies, History, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology, Refugee/Diaspora Studies etc.
This programme provides:
- Specialised research training in Gender Studies, in addition to focused study of feminist legal theories and a particular area of law. This pathway is suitable for students considering advanced postgraduate research in Gender Studies with a regional specialisation;
- A broad MA programme for students with some background in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, and Area Studies etc. who wish to enhance their knowledge of gender in relation to cross-cultural legal issues;
- A special interest MA, which enables students to study gender issues in-depth in relation to a particular regional or disciplinary specialisation alongside the acquisition of knowledge of feminist legal approaches and a study of a legal sub-discipline.
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
Students take courses to the value of 120 credits and a dissertation worth 60 credits which amounts to the total 180 credits required to complete the degree programme.
All students take the Preliminary course in law, legal reasoning and legal methods. This is a compulsory component which runs as an intensive two-week course in September, prior to the start of term.
All students take the compulsory core courses Gender Theory and the Study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Dissertation Methods for Gender Studies, and Gender Sexuality and Law: Theories and Methodologies. Further options include a wide range of gender and gender-related courses from a comprehensive list. Students also choose one Law option from the general MA in Law list (subject to course convenor approval).
Upon completion of coursework and written examinations in May/June, students will write a 12,000-word dissertation based on material acquired from their courses.
Dissertation
Students must complete a Dissertation (10,000 words) in Gender Studies, which should be based on material acquired from their courses.
- Dissertation in gender studies
Taught Component
Core Modules
- Gender theory and the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East
- Gender, Sexuality and Law: Theories and Methodologies
- Dissertation Methods for Gender Studies
Compulsory Modules
- Preliminary Law, Legal Reasoning and Legal Methods
and
- Choose a module(s) from List 1 to the value of 30 credits.
and
- Choose a module(s) from List 2 to the value of 30 credits.
List of Modules (subject to availability)
List 1
- Gender and Development
- Gender and Music (MMus)
- Gender, Armed Conflict and International Law
- Gendering Migration & Diasporas
- Gender in the Middle East
- Queer and Feminist Diaspora Studies
- From Theory to Practice and Back. Work Placements in Migration Research
- Gender and Sexuality in the Middle East
- Gender, Peace and International Law
- Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film
- Gender, Sexuality and Law: Selected Topics
- Historical Perspectives on Gender in Africa
- Gender, law and the family in the history of modern South Asia
- Issues in the Anthropology of Gender
- Judaism and Gender
- Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
List 2
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Colonialism, Empire and International Law
- Foundations of International Law
- Human Rights and Islamic Law
- International Protection of Human Rights
- Law and Development in Africa
- Law and Society in The Middle East and North Africa
- Law and Society in South Asia
- Law, Human Rights and Peace Building: The Israeli-Palestinian Case
- Water and Development: Conflict and Governance
- Water Law: Justice and Governance
- Climate Change Law and Policy
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Criminal Law
- International Investment Law
- Law and Postcolonial Theory
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.
English Language Requirements
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