COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Gender Analysis in Global Development is a one-year, full-time program that offers a critical and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the roles of gender and diversity in development. Drawing on concepts from anthropology, sociology, and political science, the course equips students to explore and analyse major development issues through a gendered lens. Topics covered include poverty, micro-finance and women’s empowerment, HIV, reproductive health, environmental disasters, and religious fundamentalism, among others. Students engage with key theories such as social structure, power, and agency to assess the implications of development policies and practices. A central theme is the intersection of gender with other identities such as race, ethnicity, and disability, and how these intersections shape experiences of development and inform public policy. The course combines theoretical exploration with practical approaches, including rights-based and targeted interventions. Students are also encouraged to personalise their studies by choosing from a broad range of optional modules that span professional skills development, research methods, politics, climate change, education, and media. These electives allow students to develop areas of expertise relevant to future research or careers in international development. During the summer term, students choose between completing a dissertation or a development work placement. The dissertation is a substantial piece of independent research, while the placement offers hands-on experience in a development organisation, followed by an analytical essay that connects practical insights with academic debates. Throughout the program, there is a strong focus on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world development challenges, preparing graduates for roles in policy-making, NGOs, or further academic study.