Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides advanced feminist training in gender analysis. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary and transnational perspectives, preparing graduates for careers in academia, research, and various sectors where gender issues are relevant. Students complete either a thesis or exam and can choose from a wide range of elective courses to tailor their studies to their interests.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Arts degree program in Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers advanced feminist training in gender analysis for students with diverse academic backgrounds and career aspirations. The degree program is designed to be a two-year full-time sequence, where all students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress in the graduate program in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and department policies.
Objectives:
- Provide advanced feminist training in gender analysis.
- Engage students in the multidisciplinary perspectives associated with gender studies and women's studies, including queer studies, transgender studies, sexuality studies, race and ethnicity studies, disability studies, area and global studies, cultural studies, postcolonial and transnational studies.
- Ensure an overarching transnational and cross-cultural framework.
- Utilize interdisciplinary methodologies and/or disciplinary approaches.
Outline:
Required Courses (15 credits):
- Gender and Women's Studies: The Emergence and Transformation of a Field (GEN&WS 810)
- Research Methods in Gender & Women's Studies (GEN&WS 800)
- Contemporary Theorizing in Gender and Women's Studies (GEN&WS 830)
- Research & Thesis: Master's and Professional Level (GEN&WS 790) or exam
Electives (15 credits):
Students can choose from a wide range of elective courses offered by the Department of Gender and Women's Studies and other departments and programs across the university.
Assessment:
Students complete either a thesis or exam. Refer to the program website for more details: https://gws.wisc.edu/ma-requirements/
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The program utilizes various teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, seminars, workshops, and research projects.
Faculty:
The program is taught by a distinguished faculty of scholars with expertise in gender and women's studies.
Unique Approaches:
The program emphasizes interdisciplinary and transnational perspectives, allowing students to explore gender issues from multiple angles and global contexts.
Careers:
The M.A. degree in Gender and Women's Studies prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in academia, research, government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Graduates may pursue careers in fields such as:
- Gender and women's studies research and teaching
- Gender policy analysis and advocacy
- Social work and counseling
- Non-profit management
- Education
- Journalism
- Law
- Business
