Short Course

Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches

This Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches short course draws on a feminist analysis of injustice and power relationships to examine violence against women and struggles for gender justice in historical and political contexts.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore theories and debates within feminist movements and amongst academics and activists concerned with social justice in the 21st century.

Why QMU?

QMU is committed to social justice as a core value.
QMU has a longstanding partnership with Scottish Women’s Aid to deliver this module.
This innovative course continues the legacy of QMU’s roots in the women’s movement.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for women and men committed to making use of the insights of feminism to tackle gender-based violence.

The course is aimed at practitioners and activists working in the fields of domestic abuse/sexual violence/gender equality. It will also be of interest to other professionals, students and citizens who would like to develop their knowledge, get involved in campaigns or consider employment in this field. The course is suitable for Continuing Professional Development and is also part of QMU’s degree course in Public Sociology.

Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches: The course in brief

What will I learn on the course?

Gender, Justice and Violence: Definitions and key concepts
The history of violence against women as a social problem
Research on prevalence, contexts and consequences of gender based violence (including domestic abuse, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, globalisation, harmful cultural practices)
Feminism as a social movement
Constructions of masculinity and femininity
Connecting theory and practice and working for gender justice

Teaching will reflect the principles of active, collaborative and experiential learning.

By the end of the course what will I be able to do?

On completion of the course, you’ll be able to:

take informed action to tackle violence against women;
develop models of practice to tackle gender based violence in community based, national and global contexts;
place issues of violence against women in a wider framework of intersecting struggles for social justice;
explain the concepts of gender, violence and the continuum of global gender based violence and their importance in understanding the dynamics of men’s violence against women;
build on the historical emergence of social movements and policy development against men’s violence against women as a social problem;
engage in critical reflective practice to make the connections between theory and effective intervention/prevention/campaigning in concrete situations;
develop models of practice to tackle gender based violence in community based, national and global context as relevant to the student; and
produce a critical, analytical review of an area of gender-based practice, drawing on social policy or social movement action.

How will I be taught?

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered at the QMU campus through eight, weekly half day sessions.

How long does the course last for and how much time will I need to spend on it each week?

A total of eight half-days in class (spread over 8 weeks), a few hours self-reflection on gender issues in everyday life and about a week to complete an essay.

Does the course have an assessment and if so what sort of assessment will it be?

A ‘formative’ (non-graded) assessment of a presentation plus a ‘summative’ (graded) essay of 4000 words.

Who will be teaching me?

Eurig Scandrett (senior lecture in sociology at QMU)

Lesley Orr (consultant on gender-based violence, SWA)

Jodie McVicar (SWA training officer).

What equipment will I need for this course?

You will require access to a computer or laptop, Internet connectivity, a webcam and Microsoft Excel.

Student support/access to facilities

For the duration of your course you will be able to make use of our on-campus learning resource centre as well as access to our full range of online resources, including e-books and academic journals.

You will also have limited, mainly online access to Student Services support. Students with particular support requirements can contact the Disability Service.

As you will be studying with us for less than a full academic year you will not be provided with a personal academic tutor (PAT). However, any queries regarding your studies should be directed to the staff member leading the delivery of your course.

Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches: Entry requirements, fees and application information

Entry requirements

The course is delivered at SCQF Level 10, which is equivalent to the fourth (honours) year of a four-year undergraduate degree in Scotland. Each applicant must decide if the level of study is suitable for them.

Applicants for SCQF Level 10 study would usually have completed further or higher education above the level of an HND. Alternatively, they would have relevant professional experience that supports study at this level. Applicants that have previously studied outside the UK should check that their qualification has been taught at a suitable level to prepare them for studying a course at this level.

You do not need to provide proof of your previous qualifications.

English Language requirements: This course is taught and assessed in English. Applicants do not need to provide proof of their English Language skills when applying for this course, but all applicants should consider whether they have sufficient English competence to study at this level.

Applicants for this level of study would usually be able to demonstrate a level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component score below 6.0.

Fees

£865 (£200 non-credit bearing)

Application

Apply for Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches

Application deadline

Sunday 3 September 2023