Gender and Development Studies for social change
Published:Sunday | February 7, 2021 | 12:11 AM
The Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) – Regional Coordinating Office (RCO) offers post-graduate courses that are just right for you to expand your knowledge and expertise in gender and development issues.
The regional institute of The University of the West Indies (UWI), with units in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the RCO at the Regional Headquarters of The UWI offers the post-Ggaduate diploma (PGDip), the taught master’s (MSc), research master’s (MPhil), and the PhD. The IGDS has almost 30 years’ experience in producing highly qualified graduates who are making a difference in the critical areas of social policy and gender and development studies within the region and on the global stage. The multidisciplinary institute is engaged in teaching, research, outreach, and publications and exploring issues of gender, development, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Students of the IGDS are ideally placed to benefit from diverse perspectives and years of expertise from faculty members across the Caribbean who are passionate and committed to regional development and gender justice for all. At the IGDS, gender studies is not just what we do, it is who we are.
RELEVANCE
The relevance of the programme has been illustrated by a past student, Merlyn Hyde-Riley, minister of religion and the first female president of the Jamaica Council of Churches. She said: “I found the classes to be a safe space where persons could be themselves without being judged. There was a rich blend of theory and practice, with wonderful opportunities to learn from others who came from varied professional and academic backgrounds. The course of study has provided me with the relevant knowledge and skills to be able to mainstream gender in my work. I have become more of an activist in calling out issues and seeking to become an agent of change at the policy level as well as the grass-roots level. This is a course of study I would highly recommend to anyone.”
A post-graduate degree in Gender and Development Studies leads to improved social awareness; acquisition of skills for a wider range of job opportunities; improved advocacy and community-engagement strategies; enhanced technical gender expertise for local, regional, and international consultancies; and skills in mainstreaming gender across all sectors. The programme has attracted students and professionals from a wide cross section of disciplines including law, medicine, law enforcement, government, and international relations, thus creating a diverse space for student networking and engagement.
EYE OPENER
As past student , Kevin Stupart, warrant officer class two, Jamaica Defence Force, indicated: “The course was a real eye opener for me as it relates to the different challenges and gender dynamics relating to gender mainstreaming that have to be taken into consideration when developing policies, projects, and programmes. I have learned to take into consideration the end-user needs versus their strategic needs as this type of critical thinking is the benchmark for making an effective policy, project, or program. The best part was that the classes were very interesting as we had a lot of heated discussions. No one was left behind in an academic atmosphere conducive to higher learning.”
Focus of courses include:
• Gender Mainstreaming in Social Policy and Development Planning
• Feminist Theorising and Epistemology
• Intersections of Gender and Conflict
• Caribbean Masculinities
• Sexualities
• Gender Data collection and research
• Theories and Debates in Development Studies
Programme at a glance:
PGDip:
MSc
MPhil
PhD
1 year full time
18 months full time
3 years full time
5 years full time
2 years part time
2.5 years part time
5 years part time
7 years part time
6 courses
7 courses
4 courses
4 courses
1 research seminar
1 research seminar
2 research seminars
3 research seminars
Research paper/Internship
Research Thesis
Research Thesis
The programme at the IGDS RCO has created a cadre of persons with the skills necessary to tackle current critical development issues including gender-based violence, women’s and men’s empowerment, inclusive dducation, climate change, child abuse, sexualities, community conflict, among others.
For more information contact
(876) 352-9788
Website: http://uwi.edu/igds/
Facebook: @IGDS.UWI
To apply: https://www.mona.uwi.edu/postgrad/
Application deadline:
March 31, 2021