Introduction
The Department of Gender and Women Studies launched its flagship BS program in Gender Studies (4-Year) in Autumn 2019, offering a unique and diverse amalgamation of courses centred around gender and women's studies. The inaugural batch was admitted during this period, and subsequent batches were enrolled in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. This program adheres to the HEC's curriculum guidelines outlined for BS Gender Studies in 2017. However, in response to HEC's initiative to phase out MA/MSc programs, there is a significant demand to introduce a BS Gender Studies (2.5-year) program tailored for BA/BSc degree holders. Following the HEC's directives,
BA/BSc degree holders can transit to the BS Gender Studies program in the 4th semester, which is designed as a bridging semester. However, right after five years of its offering, it is being revised to streamline and bring it to par with the HEC’s ‘Undergraduate Education Policy (2023)’. The primary objective of this policy is to promote student success which is envisioned as the ability to comprehend and apply conceptual knowledge, acquire professional skills and competencies, and act as an individual having strong civic and ethical values of tolerance and inclusiveness. This program primarily caters to young learners of gender studies with limited prior exposure, integrating foundational and specialized courses from the field. The aim is to nurture critical skills essential for pursuing future higher education objectives. Moreover, this program seeks to foster intense academic discourse, while also laying the groundwork for advanced studies within the department, including an MPhil in Gender Studies and women studies and a PhD in Gender & Women Studies with a linguistic emphasis. Simultaneously, it aims to offer prospective candidates for similar programs in other higher education institutions across the country.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the program are to
- Enhance the qualification of those who could not continue their education after HSSC through formal universities.
- Impart sound theoretical and applied knowledge of interdisciplinary field of Gender and Women Studies.
- Develop students critical thinking and approach to become future potential social scientists in the field of Gender and Women Studies.
- Provide a thorough understanding of the feminist concerns pertaining to local, national, and international gender issues that hinder sustainable development and HDI ranking of Pakistan.
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant having BA/BSc degree or equivalent with 45% marks is eligible for admission. They will be enrolled in the 4th semester (bridging semester). Similarly, candidates having associate degrees in any other discipline except GWS will also be enrolled in the 4th semester.
Selection Process
Open Merit
Duration
Medium of Instruction
Teaching Methodology
Open Distance Learning
Total Credits Hours Required
|
Semester-I (Bridging Semester) |
|||||
| Sr. No | Curse Title | Areas | Category | Credit Hours | Course Code |
|
1 |
Psychology of Gender |
Major |
Major |
3(3+0) |
9151 |
|
2 |
Women and Development |
Major |
Major |
3(3+0) |
9161 |
|
3 |
Men & Masculinities |
Major |
Major |
3(3+0) |
9171 |
|
4 |
Women’s Movements in Global Perspective |
Major |
Major |
3(3+0) |
9173 |
|
5 |
Feminist Philosophy |
Major |
Major |
3(3+0) |
9176 |
|
6 |
Gender & Religion |
Major |
Major |
3(3+0) |
9181 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
18 |
|
||
1
2
3
4
5
Semesters
Workshop
The online workshop for each course will comprise of 12 hours, with 2 hours daily for 6 days except for the teaching practice and project as per AIOU policy. Each semester will have a workshop for the courses offered in that particular semester. There will be an online quiz for every course at the end of the workshop.
Assessment Weightage
| Assignments (Weightage) | Workshop (Attendance & Quizzes) (Weightage) | Final Exam (Weightage) | Passing Marks |
| 20% | 30% Quiz | 50% | 50% (in aggregate). However, 40% marks in final exams is mandatory. |
Note: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reserves the right to amend the fee structure policy, course offering and assessment of courses when required. The existing course(s) will be adopted/adapted as per requirement. The department may change the sequence of the course(s) offering as per availability of course(s).