Joint Master's Degree
in Anthropology and Women's & Gender Studies
Students in the Joint M.A. in Anthropology and Women's & Gender Studies pursue interests that combine anthropology and the study of women, gender and/or sexuality. Candidates may undertake a freestanding terminal joint M.A. or complete the joint M.A. as they work toward a Ph.D.
Degree requirements
Requirements for the joint degree of M.A in Anthropology and Women’s & Gender Studies include:
- One full academic year of residence at Brandeis (eight semester courses)
- A Master’s research paper
- Attendance at the Women’s Studies Graduate Proseminars, a fall series of approximately five noncredit seminar gatherings
There is no foreign language requirement. M.A. students may not use transfer credits to fulfill the coursework or residency requirement.
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- ANTH 201a History of Anthropological Thought
- ANTH 144a The Anthropology of Gender
- WGS 205a Graduate Foundational Course in Women’s Studies or an alternative foundational course in women’s studies chosen with the approval of the student’s advisor
- WMNS 198a Women’s Studies Research Seminar or an alternative course in feminist research methodologies (such as offered annually through the Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies at Radcliffe)
- Two or three elective graduate courses in anthropology
- One or two elective graduate course in women’s and gender studies from a field other than anthropology
The Master’s research paper should deal with a topic related to anthropology and women’s or gender studies. The paper must involve substantial research by the student and should be 30-45 pages long. The paper should be of professional quality. The paper may have been written previously for a Brandeis anthropology course; normally students will undertake substantial revisions on the paper before it is approved. The paper must be approved by the student’s M.A. advisor and one other faculty member (to be agreed upon by the advisor and the student). Students who wish to graduate in May must submit a credible draft of the paper by April 1, so that a revised version can by submitted by May 1. Once approved, the final version of the Master’s research paper must be submitted (two copies) to the department office by the date specified in the current academic calendar, located at the back of the Brandeis University Bulletin.
Anthropology Faculty affiliated with Women's & Gender Studies
- Elizabeth Ferry, Assistant Professor
- Sarah Lamb, Director of Graduate Studies for Women's & Gender Studies
- Ellen Schnattschneider, Director of Graduate Studies in Anthropology
Current graduate students in the Joint Master's Program in Anthropology and Women's & Gender Studies
Recent research projects by students in the Joint Master's Program in Anthropology and Women's & Gender Studies