MA in Gender Studies Syllabus: Core Subjects and Exam Pattern

• Updated on  Jul 03, 2025, by Vasudha Sharma

The MA Gender Studies is a two-year postgraduate programme that includes the fundamental concepts of sociology and gender studies, including the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of gender. It also includes the broad subjects of literature, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and media studies to study gender roles, gender identities, and gender inequalities.

 

This postgraduate course focuses on providing an in-depth understanding of the concepts of Introduction to Gender Studies, Feminist Theories, Gender and Society, and Research Methodology, and electives in specific fields that may include Violence against Women, Gender and Development, Gender and Media, and Masculinities. The curriculum is highly interactive in seminars, workshops, and fieldwork-centred, and also includes a dissertation at the end of the course.

 

Table of Contents
  1. MA Gender Studies Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
  2. MA Gender Studies Syllabus at a Private College
  3. MA Gender Studies Exam Pattern
  4. MA Gender Studies Syllabus FAQs

 

MA Gender Studies Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025

The MA Gender Studies offered by Jamia Millia Islamia is divided into four semesters. The syllabus includes basic and advanced studies related to gender, culture, media, and human rights. The curriculum combines theoretical training with research and practice tasks and equips graduates to work in academia, policy and social fields.

Semester I

Semester II

Key Concepts in Gender Studies

Status of Women in India

Social Structure & Institutions

Women's Movements

Feminist Theories

Research Methodology

Gender and Development

Critical Research Appraisal

 

(a)Theory

 

(b)Field Study

Gendering History in India

Gender and Human Rights Discourse

Semester III

Semester IV

Gender, State, and Politics

Gender and Literature

 

(a) Dissertation

 

(b) Viva

Gender and Health

Feminist Approach to Peace

Gender and Religion

Women, Work, and the Economy

Gender, Culture, and Media

-

Gender Rights and Law in India (Ability Enhancement Course)

 

(a)Theory

 

(b)Internship

-

 

MA Gender Studies Syllabus at a Private College

MA Gender Studies offered in private colleges tends to be spread across two years, with an average of interdisciplinary subjects focused on gender, sexuality, and society. The curriculum is based on applied elements of fieldwork, group projects, or a dissertation, which allows students to transfer theoretical information to real-life gender problems and be ready to receive various professional skills. The MA Gender Studies syllabus at Amity University is provided below:

Semester I

Semester II

Term Paper [Supervised Independent Learning/ Non-Teaching Credit Courses]

Seminar [Supervised Independent Learning/ Non-Teaching Credit Courses]

Family, Marriage, and Kinship [Core Courses]

Gender, Media and Employability [Employability & Skill Enhancement Courses]

Introduction to Gender Studies [Core Courses]

Gender and Globalization [Core Courses]

Research Methodology in Sociology [Core Courses]

Gender and Social Movements in India [Core Courses]

Sociology of India-I [Core Courses]

Gender and Tribal Society [Core Courses]

Theories of Feminism [Core Courses]

Social Stratification and Inequality [Core Courses]

Professional & Business Communication [Communication Skills]

Sociology of India-II [Core Courses]

Foreign Business Language

Country Report [SAP Courses (Optional)]

Open Elective Courses

Entrepreneurship Development and Venture Creation – A Global Perspective [SAP Courses (Optional)]

Outdoor Activity-Based Courses

Cognitive Analytics & Social Skills for Professional Development [Behavioural Science]

-

Foreign Business Language

-

Open Elective Courses

-

Outdoor Activity-Based Courses

Semester III

Semester IV

Summer Internship [Supervised Independent Learning/ Non-Teaching Credit Courses]

Dissertation [Supervised Independent Learning/ Non-Teaching Credit Courses]

Gender and Health [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Gender and Law [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Gender and Society [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Gender and Religion [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Gender, Sexuality, and Culture [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Rural Sociology: Theory and Practice [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Religion and Society [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Social Demography and Migration [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Gender and Subaltern Studies [Core Courses]

Sociology of Development [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Gender Media, and Communication [Core Courses]

Foreign Business Language

Gender, Polity, and Governance [Core Courses]

Open Elective Courses

Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility for Sustainability [Professional Ethics]

Outdoor Activity-Based Courses

Foreign Business Language

-

Open Elective Courses

-

Outdoor Activity-Based Courses

-

 

MA Gender Studies Exam Pattern

The MA Gender Studies degree course at Jamia Millia Islamia University includes an assessment model that is a combination of internal and external assessments.

 

The table provided below will help in better understanding.

Component

Marks per Paper

Weightage (%)

Internal Assessment

25

25%

External Exam

75

75%

Total

100

100%

  • All the papers carry 100 marks, with internal assessment having a weightage of 25 marks and 75 marks in the end-semester examination.
  • The internal marking of the course will be done based on a mid-semester exam of 10 marks, a term paper of 10 marks, and a presentation of 5 marks.
  • The end-of-semester examination will cover 75 marks, which will be conducted at the end of the semester.
  • This system helps the students to be tested, in terms of assignments and presentations, besides the relevance of results in the written paper at the end of the course.

 

MA Gender Studies Syllabus FAQs

What are the eligibility criteria for the MA Gender Studies course?

To take admission in the MA Gender Studies course, the candidates need to complete a bachelor's degree in any field from a recognized university with at least an aggregate of 50 per cent marks. Some universities accept applications based on the performance of the candidates in the entrance examinations. The candidates who come under the reserved category may also get a relaxation of the minimum marks according to institutional or government norms.

What are the career opportunities that the MA Gender Studies course offers to the candidates?

The career opportunities for the MA Gender Studies postgraduates include the roles of gender specialist, policy analyst, researcher, teacher, counselor, writer, social worker, or program manager in a non-governmental organization, then in government agencies, international organizations, research institutes, and in the corporate sector. There is also an opportunity in advocacy, Journalism, and public policy.

Can I opt to work in the private sector after completing the MA Gender Studies course?

Yes, various private companies in the management and recruitment sectors offer diversity, equity, and inclusion. The candidates can opt to work as diversity officers, HR coordinators, CSR managers, or research analysts who can contribute to the policies of the company and programs that create an inclusive and equitable workplace in organizations.

Does the MA Gender Studies course offer candidates the global opportunities to work with international organizations?

The candidates, after completing the MA Gender Studies course, can work in international organizations like the United Nations, UNICEF, WHO, and other international NGOs in roles related to research, advocacy, policy analysis, as well as program management and usually they work with gender equality, women rights, and social development.

What salary can the candidates get in the career options of MA Gender Studies?

The MA Gender Studies salary depends on the sector and location. The MA Gender Studies jobs in research organizations can provide an entry-level salary between INR 2 to 5 lakhs per annum. The MA Gender Studies salary in foreign institutions might be better with experience, or an extra certifications or diplomas.

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