Gender – how did it happen to you?
Why is there a gender pay gap?
Why are the All Blacks the ‘national team’?
Why is ‘male’ or ‘female’ part of a person’s identity?
Gender is a complex element of social and cultural existence with far-reaching implications for the course of our lives. It shapes the work we do and how we spend our leisure time. It affects not only our identities, but our income, our family relationships and friendships, the value and meanings we attach to other people and activities, what we eat and how we dress, and even how we speak.
In the past few decades, theoretical and everyday notions of gender and sexuality have undergone dramatic changes, influenced by both changes in the organisation of society and by a rapidly expanding field of critical inquiry. The field continues to produce dynamic research which is the focus of our teaching.
Why study Gender Studies?
At New Zealand’s leading Gender Studies programme, we’ll surprise you. You’ll be introduced to different perspectives on things you’ve always taken for granted, while you explore television, film, news media, documentary, public debate, advertising, photography, subculture and fashion as well as scholarly reading.
Topics covered in the core programme include:
- biological and cultural explanations of sex and gender
- bodies in popular culture
- cultural construction of sexuality
- consumer culture and work
- family life
- gender in the media
- violence
- changing concepts of what it means to be male or female
- gender, sexuality and state power
- reproduction
Gender Studies runs a core programme but also introduces you to a whole range of disciplines.
A Gender Studies degree can include papers in Sociology, Criminology, Anthropology, Education, English, Film and Media, Geography, History, Law, Pacific Studies, Physical Education, Politics and Religious Studies.
Many Gender Studies papers can be credited towards other degree programmes, including majors in Anthropology, Film and Media, History, Politics, Philosophy, Sociology and the minor in Criminology.
Career opportunities
Gender Studies will enable you to develop skills and knowledge that will be welcome in a range of career areas.
These include:
- Policy development and analysis
- Human rights
- Trade union and EEO work
- Education
- Human resources
- Health and community advocacy
- Business and management
- Journalism and the media
- Marketing and advertising
- Arts, entertainment and museum work
Gender Studies will also enable you to develop personal and professional skills that are highly valued by employers:
- The abilty to think broadly, critically and creatively
- Appreciation of diverse points of view
- The ability to analyse and participate in debate
- Research skills
- Clear and effective written expression
- Verbal reasoning, verbal address
- Team work
The critical perspectives and knowledge gained through training in Gender Studies are also applicable well beyond specific career contexts. An Arts degree with a Gender Studies major or minor provides you with skills that will prove useful through all aspects of your life.
Background required
All students are welcome to study Gender Studies at Otago. No prior knowledge is required.
Teaching style
The staff are enthusiastic and work interactively, and involve students actively in their own learning. Students are encouraged to think independently and to relate their academic learning to the world they encounter daily.
Gender Studies consistently gains high ratings for student satisfaction with their learning experience.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Gender Studies
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | GEND 101 Gender in Everyday Life GEND 102 Bodies, Sexualities and Selves | 18 18 |
| 200-level | GEND 201 Introduction to Feminist Theory Two other 200-level GEND papers, one of which may be replaced with ANTH 206, CHIN 241, GEOG 210, HIST 215, HIST 234, MFCO 212, POLS 202, RELS 209, or any 200-level SOCI paper | 18 36
|
| 300-level | Four of 300-level GEND papers, one of which may be replaced with ANTH 322, ANTH 327, EDUC 318, ENGL 331, MFCO 301, RELS 309, or any 300-level SOCI paper | 72
|
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Gender Studies
| Papers |
|---|
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Gender Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Gender Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Gender Studies
| Papers |
|---|
|
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Gender Studies
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Gender Studies or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Gender Studies must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Gender Studies prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Minor subject requirements
Gender Studies as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
Five GEND papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one above 200-level | 90 | |
One 100- or 200-level GEND paper may be replaced by one of the following: ANTH 205, GEOG 210, HIST 215, HIST 226, HIST 234, MFCO 212, RELS 209, SOCI 205, ANTH 316, ANTH 322, ANTH 327, EDUC 318, ENGL 331, MFCO 301, RELS 309, SOCI 302, SOCI 305 | ||
| Total | 90 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEND101 | 2021 | Gender in Everyday Life | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND102 | 2021 | Bodies, Sexualities and Society | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND201 | 2021 | Introduction to Feminist Theory | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND205 | 2021 | Gender and the Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND206 | 2021 | Gender, Work and Consumer Culture | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2022 |
| GEND207 | 2021 | Masculinities | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND208 | 2021 | Governing Bodies | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2022 |
| GEND209 | 2021 | Critical Victimology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND210 | 2021 | Gender, Crime and Justice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND234 | 2021 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
| GEND305 | 2021 | Gender and the Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND306 | 2021 | Gender, Work and Consumer Culture | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2022 |
| GEND307 | 2021 | Masculinities | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND308 | 2021 | Governing Bodies | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2022 |
| GEND309 | 2021 | Critical Victimology (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND310 | 2021 | Gender, Crime and Justice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND311 | 2021 | Interventions in Sexual Violence | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND334 | 2021 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
| GEND401 | 2021 | Debates in Gender and Sexuality | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND402 | 2021 | Sexual Politics in Modern Ireland | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND490 | 2021 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
| GEND590 | 2021 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology Programme
Tel +64 3 479 7951
Email sgsw@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/sgc
