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Humanities and Social Sciences |
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Gender, Sexuality and Diversity StudiesHonours Program
Resources for Current Honours Students Why do Honours?An Honours degree offers several advantages to GSD Studies graduates. It allows you to add a further qualification to your degree which signals a higher level of achievement, specialised knowledge in your discipline, and high level research and writing skills. An Honours degree allows you to pursue a special interest or topic at a deep level of engagement and to enjoy the satisfaction of completing a significant body of original research and writing. Honours graduates can take these advanced skills into the workforce, into higher degrees and into other areas of interest in their lives. An Honours degree is the most important and widely recognised qualification for entry into postgraduate study. As well as this, an honours degree will enhance your employment prospects as it demonstrates your capacity to do independent research, to think critically and analytically, and to write at a reasonably advanced level. Some graduates from GSD Studies Honours have found employment in areas directly related to the topic of their thesis research; their expertise has been recognised by employers. Entry RequirementsTo take on an Honours year you need a strong commitment to your work and a passion for your topic or research area as well as good results in your undergraduate degree. Usually a ‘B' average is required in your undergraduate results but special circumstances can be taken into account in determining your eligibility. These, along with the help and guidance of your supervisor and Honours teaching staff will assist you through the year.
About GSD Studies HonoursAn Honours degree requires a fourth year of study after completion of the requirements for a GSD Studies major or for a combined major in GSD Studies and another discipline. In your Honours year you complete a short thesis of 12,000-15,000 words worth 50% of your final mark as well as two fourth year coursework units (GSDS honours units in 2009) each worth 20%. The final 10% of assessment is completed in your first semester of enrolment in the Honours research seminar. You can do an Honours degree in GSD Studies only or enrol in a combined Honours degree in GSD Studies and another discipline. Applicants are admitted into GSD Studies Honours in both Semester One and Two. Combined HonoursMany students choose to do a ‘combined' Honours year because of the advantages it offers in terms of gaining expertise in two disciplines and demonstrating a flexible and broad-ranging qualification. Being able to say that you are qualified in two fields opens more possibilities for future employment and postgraduate study. You also get to enjoy the stimulation of cross-disciplinary research that can open new possibilities for your research area and outcomes. For a combined major you write one thesis and the coursework requirements are divided between the two disciplines as agreed by the respective Honours coordinators. SeminarsThe Honours research seminar is held fortnightly and is the place where Honours students engage with each other and with academics as part of an intellectual community. Here the various aspects of research and writing are discussed in a supportive environment and students learn about the research process from other academics and from each other. Opportunities are also provided to engage in current debates about feminist theory, methodology and ethics. The research seminar is an important place for learning about academic practice and thesis writing in particular.
Potential SupervisorsResearch interests of GSD Studies staff and affiliated staff
For further information contactAssociate Professor Kerreen Reiger For administrative contact in GSD Studies: Content Approved by: Head of School
Page maintained by: Administrative Assistant Last Updated: 19 February, 2009 |