Postgraduate Diploma in Gender & Women’s Studies – UoC – 2023/2024

The PgD/MA in Gender and Women’s Studies is an inter-disciplinary degree course designed to give advanced grounding in feminist theory and methodology taught through the discussion of contemporary social issues and their application in local, regional, and international contexts. Motivated by the quest for social justice, the focus on feminist inquiry provides a wide range of perspectives on social, cultural, economic, and political phenomena, specifically in the way gendered identities, gender relations, gender roles, and gender stereotypes shape values and beliefs and perpetuate gender inequality.

The course aims are to enable students to:

• Become familiar with the genealogy of feminist theory and develop a critical appreciation of different theories of gender.
• Critically engage with contemporary debates in international development, social policy and planning, the law, politics, culture, and the media through the application of feminist theory.
• To develop their critical thinking skills to examine and evaluates Sri Lankan laws, policies and programmes.
• Use feminist theory to inform the analysis of existing work in their disciplinary areas and in an inter-disciplinary context, as well as in their line of work.
• To embark on pertinent research studies, with a specific focus on Sri Lanka, to make an original contribution on knowledge in the field.
• To infuse new thinking and action in their own organizations to address issues related to ‘women’ and ‘gender’ in Sri Lankan society.

structure

The one year post-graduate Diploma will constitute:

• Six core courses
• Academic Writing Workshops
• Independent Study  (8,000 words)

Candidates who successfully complete the Diploma (PGDWS) are eligible to apply for registration to the MA programme (M.GWS).

To Whom? / Entry criteria

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university/ Institution in a field relevant to the subject matter/s of PgDGWS; or
• Any other Bachelor’s degree / with one years’ work experience relevant to the subject matter of PgDGWS; or
• Professional qualification or an equivalent qualification from a recognized professional body acceptable to the Faculty Board and the Senate of the University with one years’ work experience in the field of PgDGWS, or
• Any other Higher Diploma from a recognized University/ Institution or an equivalent qualification so recognized by the Faculty Board and the Senate of the University of Colombo with three years’ work experience in the field of PGDGWS; or
• Minimum of eight years sustained work experience relevant to the field of study in recognized institutions or work place with strong recommendation on the capacity of the candidate to undertake the programme from the Head of the institution where the candidate works. Each application under this clause shall be considered on its merit.
• Satisfactory performance at a selection test and/or selection interview; and
• A good knowledge of English language.

Duration:

2 Years Post-graduate Diploma leading to Masters

Closing date of the applications is 31st January 2023

How to Apply

• A person who wishes to apply for the FGS programmes shall forward the application to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Faculty of Graduate Studies, No.35/30, Pro. Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 07.
• Applications can be downloaded from (fgs.cmb.ac.lk) the faculty website.
• The students will be selected through an interview.
• The next intake will be announced via the website, at the time of calling for applicants.