Master's Programme in Law, Gender and Society, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor´s Degree or professional higher educational degree or an International equivalent degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS). Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5.

Degree

After completing the program, 60 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Magisterexamen in accordance with the Local Qalifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Magisterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 60 credits. The degree is awarded in one of the main fields of study, Gender Studies or Law.

After completing the program, 120 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Masterexamen in accordance with the Local Qalifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Masterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 120 credits. The degree is awarded in one of the main fields of study, Gender Studies or Law.

Description of the education for current education cycle

Second cycle educations should build substantially upon knowledge the students retained during first cycle studies or the equivalent.
Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)

National goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both a broad knowledge of the field and deeper insight into certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address, to plan and to use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts, to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits s, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
For the Degree of Master of Science 60 credits the student should after the completion of the program be able to;
- understand, explain and analyze the complex interaction between gender, law and society,
- demonstrate the ability to problematize and analyze relevant theories and concepts, from the perspectives of both gender studies and law,
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main fields of study.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
For the Degree of Master of Science 120 credits the student should after the completion of the program be able to;
- understand, explain and analyze the complex interaction between gender, law and society,
- demonstrate deeper ability to problematize and analyze relevant theories and concepts, from the perspectives of both gender studies and law,
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main fields of study.

Examination format

See current course syllabus

Grades

The program applies a three-point grading scale with the grades, Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail. Those who pass an exam may not retake the exam for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Students have the right to have a previous education or work experience assessed for transfer of credits. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

It is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board upon receiving a negative decision on transfer of credits. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

The program is aimed at students and professionals in the public and the private sectors as well as organizations, and who have a Bachelor´s Degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) and want to benefit from deeper knowledge about law or gender studies or a combination of the main fields of study. The program covers four semesters. However the student can conclude the studies after one year (Degree of Master of Science 60 credits).
Under the heading Outline it is shown which courses are mandatory and which are electives. Choice of elective courses is made in consultation with the Program Coordinator or the Study Advisor. The courses are in the order shown in the outline. The order of the courses may be subject to change. The studies of theory and methodology are integrated within each course. The program also includes a mandatory methodology course. For information on how individual courses are set up see the various course syllabus. All teaching i s done in English.

Thesis
For the Degree of Master of Science 60 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth at least 15 credits in Law or Gender Studies.

For the Degree of Master of Science 120 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth 30 credits in Law or Gender Studies. The thesis may comprise less than 30 credits, at least 15 credits, if the student has already completed an independent work at an advanced level of at least 15 credits in Law or Gender Studies or equivalent from an international education.

Outline – Degree of Master of Science 60 credits (with the possibility to continue for a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits)

Third semester for further studies towards a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits

Fourth semester for further studies towards a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits

*Student who have completed a thesis within the program worth at least 15 credits during the second semester will further complete a thesis worth at least 15 credits during the fourth semester and also take the course Critical Perspectives on Nordic Gender Equalities (CRIQ) 15 credits.
»»»» Degree of Master of Science 120 credits (two years)

Outline - Degree of Master of Science 120 credits

Deferment of studies

Deferment of enrollment may be granted if there are extenuating reasons. Examples of extenuating reasons are social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, student union assignments or postponed leave according to the law (1974:981) on employée’s rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Services.

A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A student admitted to the program can apply for an approved leave from the program. The application is submitted to the Program Study Advisor. An approved leave of absence with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care or student union assignments.

Negative decision concerning the possibility to resume studies after an approved leave of absence can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who leave their program shall notify the Director of undergraduate studies at the Forum for Studies on Law and Society or Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS) of the discontinuation.
 

Other

Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.