Gender/Cultural Studies (MA)
Faculty
Jo Trigilio, Program Director and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Women’s and Gender Studies
Renee Bergland, Professor of English and Hazel Dick Leonard Chair
Carole Biewener, Professor of Economics and Women’s and Gender Studies
Pamela Bromberg, Professor of English and Director of the Graduate Program in English
Sheldon George, Associate Professor of English
Kelly Hager, Associate Professor of English and Women’s and Gender Studies; Chair of English
Valerie Leiter, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Public Health Program
Sarah Leonard, Associate Professor of History
Suzanne Leonard, Assistant Professor of English
Cathryn Mercier, Professor of English, and Director of the Graduate Program in Children’s Literature
Theresa Perry, Professor of Africana Studies and Education
Laura Prieto, Professor of History and Women’s and Gender Studies
Jyoti Puri, Professor of Sociology
Diane Grossman, Professor of Philosophy and Women’s and Gender Studies
Saher Selod, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Becky Thompson, Professor of Sociology
Dawna Thomas, Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies
Stephen Ortega, Associate Professor of History, Co-Director of Dual Degree Graduate Program in Archives Management and History
Description
Designed to combine the study of gender and culture. Crossing disciplinary boundaries, the GCS program is dedicated to examining the ways in which race, ethnicity, nation, class, gender, sexuality, and sexual orientation are constructed within the United States and in international contexts. The program places an emphasis on cutting-edge theory, including theories in feminism, poststructuralism, cultural studies, and postcolonialism, and promotes multi-perspectival, multi-factored theoretical analyses
The interdisciplinary nature of the GCS program allows students to pursue more specialized courses of study by providing access to courses from a range of disciplines, including Africana Studies, Communications, Economics, Education, English, History, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies
Learning Outcomes
- Theoretical Competency: Analytical and Critical Skills
Disciplinary goal: Students display fluency and competency with respect to understanding, analyzing, comparing, critically evaluating, and applying various theoretical frameworks.
Students will be able to ….
- Formulate and defend a position within a theoretical framework
- Critically examine social, cultural, ethical, and/or political issues from multiple perspectives including from a global, national, and local perspectives
- Conduct analyses that address the intersections of gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexuality, and nationality
- Content Knowledge of Disciplines of Gender Studies and Cultural Studies
Disciplinary goal: Students demonstrate knowledge of the history, core concepts, main themes, and central figures in the fields of gender theory and cultural studies
Students will be able to ….
- Articulate knowledge of the core concepts, central figures, and different theoretical frameworks of feminist thought, gender studies, and cultural studies
- Articulate the connections and dynamics between gender, race, sexuality etc. theories and practices
- Situate gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, etc. in broader historical and geopolitical contexts
- Research, Writing, and Presentation
Disciplinary goal: students are prepared to engage in research and writing at a post-graduate level.
Students will be able to ….
- read and interpret texts and/or data from a variety of disciplines, historical periods, and cultures
- locate, analyze, and interpret information from a wide range of materials, including scholarly, archival, qualitative, and quantitative materials
- design and execute a capstone project or thesis that analyzes a specific issue in the field of either gender studies or cultural studies, or both [including a researched literature review and developing and supporting a position that attempts to make a contribution to the area studied]
- speak intelligently about their insights in discussions and/or formal presentations
- Public engagement
Disciplinary goal: Students are prepared to apply their knowledge and skills to academic and professional pursuits in education, social service, public policy, medicine, law, government, religion, counseling, international relations, communications, business, and the arts.
Students will be able to ….
- explain in both written and oral form, the theoretical issues associated with gender and cultural studies to multiple audiences inside and outside the academy
- engage respectfully in dialogue about subjects that may be sensitive or controversial
- interrogate the connection between theory and activism
Requirements for entry into program
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and an outstanding undergraduate record
- Applicants must submit an official transcript of their undergraduate record, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation
- At least one letter should be from someone well acquainted with the applicant’s academic ability.
Costs
Including financing and fellowships / assistantships
| Liberal Arts** |
$1,012 per credit hour |
| Activity Fee |
$50 per semester |
Degree requirements
Credits
Core, Pre-requisite, and elective course requirements and progression, etc.
Capstone, placement, internship, practicum, etc.
The degree requirements should be completed within five years. No more than four semester hours of transfer credit for graduate study elsewhere may be allowed toward the master’s degree. Candidates for the Gender/Cultural Studies degree must satisfactorily complete 32 semester hours
GCS required courses
GCS core elective course
Students must take one of the following courses:
Capstone
All students must complete at least 4 capstone credit hours and present their work at the GCS colloquium. The capstone options are list below:
GCS 455: two semesters; 4 credit hours each semester
GCS electives
Students must take at least three courses from the GCS electives list.
Students who select GCS 455, a two-semester capstone, take three electives.
Licensure, certification, etc.
Dual (and other) degree options (With what other degree programs may this program be combined?)
- Dual Degree Program with Masters of Science in Management
- Dual Degree Program with Master of Arts in Public Policy
Other program information
Potential inquiries should be addressed to Graduate Studies Admissions, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115-5898, call 617- 521- 2915, or email gsa@simmons.edu.
Laurie Crumpacker Scholars
This accelerated program for Simmons students offers the opportunity to acquire a Master of Arts in Gender/Cultural Studies within one year after completing the undergraduate degree
Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies (GCWS)
The Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies is housed at MIT and offers interdisciplinary, team-taught seminars to students who are enrolled in graduate programs at eight member institutions