MASTER OF ARTS IN WOMEN, LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA

Overview

Philosophy of the programme

As a discipline, African women studies endeavours to orient knowledge bases and functions in all disciplines towards a deeper engagement with the situation of women in Africa. The Centre recognizes that most theories that guide scholarship operate from basic assumptions which do not include African women’s worldview and therefore, need to be interrogated. In addition, research methods including their philosophies, tools of data collection, analysis and interpretation often are blind to the experiences of women, yet they guide our various disciplines in spite of this anomaly. In addition, gender and development approaches and related analytical tools have moved away from addressing gaps that have been identified and instead have been used to negate feminist frameworks that deal with fundamental issues of women’s oppression.  The Centre believes that there is need to examine these theories and methods and ensure they have the capacity to generate and harness African women’s knowledge and experiences. The Centre also recognizes that since gender is entrenched and contextual, African women need separate focus because of the prevailing economic, social and cultural contexts. On the African continent the struggle to generate knowledge based on African women’s experiences remains relatively new and African feminist frameworks are young in their development.

 

1.2 Rationale

Since 2012 the African Women Studies Centre has been working with PhD and MA students from different disciplines. In the process of their research they engage with traditional theories and philosophies which often do not take into consideration the women’s experiences and world view. Consequently, the students experience difficulties in their research and studies since these theories and research methods lack the tools of analysis and methods that are based on gendered worldview. This programme is therefore meant to address this gap as well as enhance the skills of the MA students in research and project presentation.

1.3  Objectives of  the Programme

The goal of the programme is to enhance the students’ skills and knowledge to interrogate traditional theories, philosophies and research methods so as to strengthen their capacity to generate and harness knowledge and experiences of African women and provide alternatives for bridging any gaps identified and therefore produce highly qualified graduands.

3.    COURSE REQUIREMENTS

3.1      Student Obligation

The learners shall:

  • Face to face learners shall sign attendance register every time they attend classes; Learners should attend at least two- thirds(2/3) of  contact hours for a course unit
  • Engage in individual study and class presentation as required;
  • Any learner who is unable to attend classes should fill the Permission to be away form.
  • Develop a proposal in the fourth semester and submit it for examination.
  • Design and execute  a research proposal leading to a thesis
  • Fill the Lecturer Evaluation form at the end of the course
  • ODeL learners shall interact with their tutors through the e-learning platform

 

3.2 Lecturer and Online Tutor Obligation

The lecturer/Tutor should:

  • Regularly attend lectures and other routine duties;
  • Sign attendance register every time after the lecture;
  • Deliver the course content;
  • Facilitate the presentation and discussion of the students research topics;
  • Set and mark assignments and examinations according to the examination regulations.
  • For ODeL, the lecturer shall ensure continuous interactivity with learners through the e-learning platform

4    STUDENT ASSESSMENT POLICY/CRITERIA

4.1      Continuous Assessment Tests

Course units will be evaluated through continuous assessment tests which shall include; class assignments, term papers, timed tests, group work presentations. Continuous assessment will account 40% of the final grade. Attendance of students and lecturers will be done through filling and subsequent monthly analysis of attendance forms.

 

4.2      End of Semester Examination

The learner will be expected to sit for a three hour examination at the end of the semester for the course units where written examinations are a requirement. The examination will account for 60% of the final grade.

4.3      Other Assessment

The learner will be expected to carry out research and write a project report/thesis which shall be examined in accordance with University regulations.

5.    GRADING SYSTEM

Class                  Mark (%)

Distinction            70% –100%          

Credit                    56% – 69%

Pass                       40% – 55%

Fail                        Below 40% 

 

5.    EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

5.1. Written Examinations

  • The common regulations for written examinations of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
  • The candidate shall have their course units examined at the end of the semester in which the courses have been taken.
  • Each course unit shall have a three hour examination at the end of the semester.
  • The end of semester examination shall constitute 60% of the total marks, while the continuous assessment tests (CAT) will constitute 40%.
  • The pass mark shall be 50%
  • A candidate who fails in up to one-third of the course units in an academic year shall be allowed to take supplementary examination(s) in the course unit(s) failed, when such examinations are next scheduled.
  • A pass obtained in the supplementary examination will be recorded as 50%.
  • A candidate who fails a supplementary examination shall be allowed to repeat the failed supplementary examination one more time .
  • A candidate who, for a good cause, fails to sit for an examination may be allowed to take a special examination, when such examinations are next scheduled. The results of a special examination shall be treated like the results of an ordinary first attempt examination.
  • A candidate who fails in more than one-third of the course units in an academic year or fails a supplementary examination at the second attempt or fails to complete the programme within the stipulated period shall, on the recommendation of the AWSC Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.

5.2 EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Examination malpractices such as cheating shall face disciplinary action in accordance with the University of Nairobi rules and regulations.

 

5.3      PROJECT/THESIS ASSESSMENT

  1. A research project will be done by every student in the 4th semester. The Centre will allocate two supervisors to each student. The students will provide a monthly update on the research project.
  2. Candidates shall be required to submit the research project for examination at least three weeks before the end of the fourth semester.
  3. The Research Project which is equivalent to four course units shall be examined by two internal examiners and an external examiner and subjected to an oral examination by the AWSC approved Board of Examiners.
  4. The Research Project shall be graded in two sections: The research project report shall be graded out of 60%, and oral defence of the project shall be out of 40% thereby making a total of one hundred per cent (100%).
  5. A candidate who fails in the examination of the research project will be allowed to re-submit once only.
  6. If the candidate fails after the second re-submission he/she will be discontinued.
  7. Resubmission of the research project shall be allowed within the eight semesters.
  8. University of Nairobi regulations on examinations in relation to examination malpractices, disciplinary action and mode of appeal shall apply.
  9. Anti-plagiarism test will be carried out on the project reports and papers

6.      Schedule of intake

September

7.0        MODE OF DELIVERY

7.1    Face to face mode

The M.A program adopts a seminar mode of delivery. This means that the students will be exposed to key presentations, seminar presentations, group work, a variety of course delivery techniques such as lectures, tutorials, lecture-discussions, class presentations, case studies, demonstrations, fieldwork, videos, student-lecturer consultations, supervised independent research, or any combination of these.

7.2    Open, Distance and E-Learning (ODeL)

The Open, Distance and E-Learning programme will run for a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of ten (10) semesters of fifteen (15) weeks each. This module is largely home and or office-based and includes:

  1. Written self-instructional study modules issued at registration time including:
    1. Course study materials like booklets
    2. Relevant literature
    3. Interactive devices and self-tests
  2. Face to face introductory tutorials
  3. Mediated technical learning materials for example:
    1. Audio visual
    2. E-learning
    3. Web conferencing
  4. Limited face-to-face sessions to provide overview of the course at commencement of semester, mid semester and revision period before examinations.
  5. Support study centres at the University of Nairobi.
    1. Access to information through computers at the University of Nairobi and other resource centres.
    2. Use of libraries at the University of Nairobi and other institutions

 

 

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

2.1      Minimum Admission Requirements

The following shall be eligible for admission into M.A. in WLGA:

  • 2.1 The common regulations for the master’s degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
    • Holders of a Bachelor’s degree of the University of Nairobi of Upper Second Class Honours or any other equivalent institution recognized by Senate.
    • Holders of a Bachelor’s degree of Lower Second Class Honours of the University of Nairobi or any other equivalent institution recognized by the Senate with at least two years of work experience in a related field.
    • Holders of a Bachelors degree at lower second class honours or pass degree and a postgraduate diploma from the University of Nairobi or other institutions recognized by Senate.
    • Holders of a pass degree from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by the University Senate with at least five years of work experience in a related field or with a Post-graduate Diploma.
    • Any other specific equivalent qualifications that may apply to the area of specialization.

2.2      Credit Transfer and Exemptions

There shall be no credit transfer

ATTACHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Medical Facilities (Hospitals and Clinics)
  2. Correctional Facilities (Police Stations & Prisons)
  3. Children Homes
  4. Safe Heaven Facilities (From domestic abuse)
 

 Year I 

 Year 2 

 Totals 

 

 Semester 1 -4UNITS 

 Semester 2 - 4UNITS 

 Semester 1 - 4UNITS 

 Semester 2 - 4UNITS 

 

TUITION @27000

     108,000.00

     108,000.00

     108,000.00

        108,000.00

     432,000.00

EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)

         4,000.00

         4,000.00

          4,000.00

            4,000.00

       16,000.00

ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)

         7,000.00

                      -  

                       -  

            7,000.00

       14,000.00

REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)

         2,250.00

         2,250.00

          2,250.00

            2,250.00

         9,000.00

ID CARD ( PER YEAR)

         1,000.00

                      -  

                       -  

            1,000.00

         2,000.00

CAUTION - (ONCE)

         5,000.00

                      -  

                       -  

                         -  

         5,000.00

MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)

         6,500.00

                      -  

                       -  

            6,500.00

       13,000.00

LIBRARY (PER YEAR)

         5,000.00

                      -  

                       -  

            5,000.00

       10,000.00

ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)

         2,000.00

                      -  

                       -  

            2,000.00

         4,000.00

STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)

         1,000.00

                      -  

                       -  

            1,000.00

         2,000.00

THESIS EXAMINATION

                      -  

                      -  

                       -  

          30,000.00

       30,000.00

Grand totals

 141,750.00

 114,250.00

  114,250.00

   166,750.00

 537,000.00