MSc Gender, Peace and Security

This unique, multidisciplinary programme is concerned with the ways in which women and gender are understood in relation to, and affected by, regional, national and global peace and security processes in conflict and post-conflict settings.

Located in the Department of Gender Studies, you will fully participate in the academic and social life of the Department and also benefit from exposure to LSE’s diverse community of researchers. In addition to your academic study, you will benefit from LSE’s lively public events programme. The MSc will make use of critical gender theory and empirical research that are international and transnational in scope, and will draw on interdisciplinary texts and perspectives from theory, policy, and practice.

This programme will be suitable for those who have a professional background in conflict and post-conflict work; in humanitarian assistance; UN field offices; and peace governance roles who wish to further their expertise in gender, peace and security. It will also be suitable for early-career students who would like to work in relevant fields, in any number of roles. It is also a good foundation for pursuing a doctorate in related disciplines and subfields.

Teaching methods

Each course generally comprises a series of lectures. As graduate students, an important part of your learning will be done through reading the course literature and discussing the issues in and outside seminars. You should understand that you will be expected in your own written work to go considerably beyond the content and approach of lectures in your subjects. Lectures are intended to fulfil various functions, but they are not a substitute for independent reading and thought. Lectures are intended to provide you with an overview of a particular subject area and its related concepts and issues, and to introduce the most important relevant academic literature. This can mean that lectures will often not be able to achieve the depth of coverage that you will find in the relevant literature.

Assessment

The programme includes courses which offer a variety of training in methods and interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks. All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. Assessments will range from traditional essays and exams to essay-diaries and group projects.

Careers

We expect the degree to assist our students with careers in conflict and post-conflict settings; in humanitarian assistance; UN field offices; peace governance roles; and into further study.