Dr Marsha Henry, COL 5.04H  and Dr Ania Plomien, COL 5.04F.

This course is compulsory on the MPhil/ PhD in Gender Studies. This course is not available as an outside option.

The aim of this course is to give students experience and practice in presenting chapters or papers related to their current research for critical discussion. The focus of the seminar is on the research process and students are expected to present at least once per year. Summer term sessions are given over to professional training, such as CV preparation, conference participation, publishing and teaching organisation.

15 one-and-a-half hour seminars held fortnightly in the MT, LT and ST. First year students must also audit GI400 Gender Theories in the Modern World (lectures only) and GI402 Gender, Knowledge and Research Practice (full course). All students are expected to participate in Methodology Institute or other Gender Institute courses as advised by their supervisors. Students are also expected to participate in research seminars and public lectures.

PhD chapters and articles suggested by students relevant to their topic.

First year students will be assessed by means of a draft chapter setting the research issues and questions in the context of the wider literature, and suggesting and justifying appropriate methodologies and theoretical frameworks; and a proposal following ESRC guidelines, in which the thesis prospectus is revised. The chapter and proposal are read by the main and advisory supervisors, and a third person if necessary. The candidate is evaluated in a viva context, and either asked to resubmit the materials or passed through to the following year. This assessment has to be passed before progress to the second year is permitted. Arrangements for part-time students will be made on a pro-rata basis. After the first year students are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD (within 4 terms of registration, pro-rata for part-time students). Students are permitted to resubmit material for the upgrade on one further occasion within two terms of the first attempt, similarly on a pro-rata basis for part-time students. After this students are reviewed on an annual basis until the thesis is complete.