Overview

Graduates of the M.A. Program in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies acquire expertise in gender, race, sexuality, and class relations, which are areas in demand in a number of fields and professions. The courses offered focus on gender, the socially-constructed understandings of what it means to be female or male, and how understandings of gender affects people across all social categories. The program is built on a foundation of equality, human rights, and social justice. As such, it is inclusive in nature and combines both academic rigor and social activism. By scrutinizing the power differential between females and males, students learn about the intersection of other inequalities. Students are also prepared to pursue several career options, including but not limited to leadership positions in national, regional, and international agencies operating in the field of human rights, education, migration, diplomacy, and conflict resolution; consultancies with international development agencies, UN agencies, human rights organizations, local non-governmental organizations, as well as governmental organizations, and ministries. 

Mission

The M.A. in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies provides students with a high quality education across a wide range of disciplines such as literature, political science, history, sociology, psychology, and economics, all from a gender perspective. It prepares students for a variety of professional or academic careers by engaging them in the discovery and production of gender-focused knowledge. 

This innovative graduate program is the most recent manifestation of LAU’s legacy as the first institution of higher learning for women in the Arab world, and serves as a concrete embodiment of LAU’s value of promoting gender equality and inclusiveness. The M.A. in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies provides students with quality, interdisciplinary education that integrates gender in all fields of study (such as conflict resolution, diplomacy, human rights, health, education, politics, business, medicine, and other) and highlights the importance of gender in understanding issues related to social change, social justice, human rights, gender inequalities, etc. It also offers students the needed academic freedom to tackle sensitive issues related to women and gender in the region. 

Program Objectives

Through the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies program students will: 

1. acquire theoretical knowledge, interdisciplinary competencies, and practical skills needed to pursue post-graduate work in gender studies or other related fields,
2. develop opportunities for continuous professional development and leadership, and
3. pursue careers in governmental and non-governmental organizations, ministries, as well as national, regional, and international agencies with good communication and teamwork skills.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students are able to: 

1. analyze critically the major theories and concepts in gender studies and the various research methodologies appropriate to inter-disciplinary inquiry,
2. evaluate recent advances in gender issues and their impact on society,
3. analyze complex gender issues while integrating a gender perspective into a variety of academic disciplines and professional endeavors,
4. think holistically and critically about issues of human rights, gender equality, and social justice,
5. explore the intersectionality of gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, disability, and sexuality,
6. acquire effective communication skills and leadership techniques, 
7. generate analytical reports and policy briefs, and give public presentations, and 
8. work effectively as team members to design, develop, and implement awareness campaigns. 

Curriculum

A total of 30 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows: 

• Core Requirements (18 credits) 
• Elective Courses (12 credits)

A thesis is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study. 

Core Requirements (18 credits)

• IGS725 Gender and Public Policy (3 cr.) 
• IGS730 Theories of Gender and Global Feminism (3 cr.) 
• IGS732 Arab and Islamic Feminisms (History & Theory) (3cr.) 
• IGS760 Methods of Inquiry in Interdisciplinary Contexts (3 cr.) 
• IGS780 Active Learning and Research (internship in a local, regional, or international NGO working on gender issues in Lebanon or a country of their choice) (6 cr.) 

Elective Courses (12 credits)

• ECO880 Special Topics in Economics: Economics of Gender (3 cr.) 
• EDU748 Topics in Education
• EDU748A Gender Rights: A Focus on Education, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and Economic Empowerment (3 cr.) 
• EDU748B Gender and Education (3 cr.) 
• FIN880 Special Topics in Finance: Women Entrepreneurs (3 cr.) 
• IGS744 Topics in Women & Gender Studies (3 cr.) 
• IGS744A Gender in Development and Humanitarian Assistance (3 cr.) 
• IGS744B Gender and Citizenship: An Incomplete Status for Arab Women (3 cr.) 
• IGS744C Crimes of Honor (3 cr.) 
• IGS744D GBV Prevention and Response: A Case Management Perspective (3 cr.) 
• INA813 Topics in International Relations (3 cr.) 
• INA814 Topics in Middle East Politics (3 cr.) 
• MIG715 Gender and Migration (3 cr.)
• MIG780 Topics in Migration Studies (3 cr.)