BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Overview

 

  1. INTRODUCTION 

    1. Background 

The need to integrate gender concerns in all situations of development interventions has been the focus of many development efforts throughout the world over the last few decades. The reason for the concern is the need to work towards a more equitable gender balance in all sectors of the economy and different facets of life.

The Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development Studies at the Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies (IAGAS) is a degree programme designed and developed to articulate gender and development issues in a changing political, socio-economic and cultural environment. At a more theoretical level, the programme seeks to provide a deeper understanding of an evolving gender system as a socially constructed system of hierarchical relationships which are manifested differently under diverse cultural contexts.  At the level of intervention, the focus is on how development partners can be sensitized and encouraged to increase their support for and commitment to the promotion of gender equity through a variety of gender-responsive policies and programmes and also to develop strategies to accelerate and institutionalize the process of gender mainstreaming.  

The overarching concern here is that the goal of sustainable development cannot be achieved without the full participation of men and women as equal partners in the development and decision-making processes at all levels. This programme also aims to provide students with tools for critical thinking and analysis and to engage in philosophical discussions about the relationships between one’s gender and society.

 

  1. ationale of the Curriculum

The study of Gender and Development and related Social Sciences disciplines has taken centre stage in most countries of the world in recent years. This has come about as a result of the many social ills that bedevil humanity ranging from the problems of institutionalized injustice, gender stereotypes, the importance of a process that incorporates the Significant Interest Groups (SIGs), negative ethnicity, extremism as well as all other forms of intolerance across cultures. The curriculum as reviewed takes on board a holistic approach to the study of Gender and human differences and helps the students in enhancing unity in diversity. 

The curriculum has taken on-board new and innovative courses that respond to the problems of contemporary nature while still maintaining the core of gender studies. The new approaches emphasize the human rights-based understanding and the need for forging common fronts in dealing with the socio-cultural problems of the world that have traditionally undermined one gender at the expense of the other. 

  1. Goal of the Programme 

The goal of this programme is to training graduates of gender who will be able to work in diverse environments providing the necessary cultural as well as holistic approaches to the understanding of human beings so that they can fit in the multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments and provide the necessary input to the creation of a peaceful world that values the different cultures.

 

 

  1. Expected Learning Outcome

At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:

  1. Apply the gender and development knowledge and skills gained to respond to challenges in mainstreaming gender into national and sectoral plans and policies at all levels and stages of the development process. 
  2. Analyse and discuss current thinking on gender and development discourse and cultural diversity for purposes of designing, planning, monitoring and evaluating development plans, policies, programmes and projects in professional work. 
  3. Apply multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural approaches to academic and policy issues in regard to gender and development issues. 
  4. Conduct original research in the field of gender and development for a comprehensive understanding of the gender system, its different components and how society determines, maintains and changes gender roles, relations, identities and perceptions through conscious action. 

 

 

 

  1. COURSE UNITS OFFERED 

    1. List of Courses

Course Code

Course Title

Contact 

YEAR ONE

CORE UNITS

45

1st Semester

  

45

NGE 101

Introduction to Gender Studies

45

NGE 102

Gender and Culture

45

NGE 103

Women in the Developing World

45

NAF 104

Cultural Anthropology

45

CCS 010

HIV/AIDs

45

2nd Semester

  

45

NGE 107

Introduction to Gender Mainstreaming

45

NGE 108

Gender Analysis in Cross-Cultural Perspectives

45

NGE 109

Gender Division of Labour

45

NGE 110

Gender and Development Theory

45

1st Semester

ELECTIVES

45

NAF 105

Social Movements and Resistance

45

NGE 106

Gender and Family

45

2nd Semester

  

45

NGE 111

Gender and Communication

45

NGE 112

Gender and Entrepreneurship

45

YEAR TWO

CORE UNITS

45

3rd Semester

    

NGE 201

Gender, Agriculture and Food Security

45

NGE 202

Gender, Poverty and Sustainable Livelihoods

45

NGE 203

Gender Statistics

45

NAF 211

Leadership and Ethics in Africa

45

4th Semester

    

NGE 207

Gender, Shelter and Homelessness

45

NGE 208

Gender and Sustainable Development

45

NGE 204

Gender in the Global Economy

45

NGE 210

Gender and Education

45

3rd Semester

ELECTIVES

  

NGE 205

Gender and Civil Society

45

NGE 206

Gender and Migration

45

NAF 207

Culture and Human Sexuality

45

4th Semester

    

NGE 211

Gender and Language

45

NGE 212

Gender and Disability

45

NGE 209

Gender, Politics and Democracy

45

YEAR THREE

CORE UNITS

  

5th Semester

    

NGE 301

Gender and Health

45

NGE 302

Theoretical Perspectives in Gender Studies

45

NGE 303

Gender and Community Development

45

NGE 304

Gender Based Violence and Conflict Resolution

45

6th Semester

    

NGE 306

Gender and the Law

45

NGE 308

Gender and Environmental Management

45

NGE 307

Gender and Technology

45

5th Semester

ELECTIVES

  

NAF 311

Anthropology of Children and Childhood

45

NGE 305

Gender, Public Policy and Service Delivery

45

6th Semester

    

NAF 310

Anthropology of Tourism

45

NGE 309

Gender and International Development

45

YEAR FOUR

CORE UNITS

  

7th Semester

    

NGE 401

Gender and Reproductive Health

45

NGE 402

Gender and the Media

45

NGE 403

Research Methods in Gender Studies

45

NGE 404

Research project 

45

8th Semester

    

NGE 406

Gender, Power and Decision-Making

45

NAF 404

Devolution, National Cohesion and Development

45

NAF 414

Culture Change and Development

45

7th Semester

ELECTIVES

  

NGE 405

Gender and Disaster Management

45

NAF 408

Nutritional Anthropology

45

8th Semester

    

NAF 417

Culture, Sports and Entertainment

45

NGE 407

Gender in the Digital World

45

NGE 409

Gender and Ageing

45

NGE 415

Gender and Climate Change 

  

 

  1. Course Structure and Duration

    1. The programme shall be covered in a minimum of eight (8) semesters and a maximum of twelve (12) semesters from the date of registration and each semester will be 15 weeks.
    2. Each course unit shall have a minimum of 45 contact hours and shall be covered within a semester.
    3. Each student shall be required to take a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of eight (8) course units in one semester.
    4. The period required for a candidate to study and qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development studies shall be a minimum of eight (8) semesters and a maximum of twelve (12) Semesters.
    5. There shall be three (3) semesters in each academic year. The third semester shall be optional. A candidate wishing to complete the programme of study in less than four academic years may utilize the optional semester, but candidates must consult and obtain approval from the Director of the Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies for the choice of appropriate course unit(s) before they can register.
    6. Students in Module II programmes may take fewer, but not less than two (2) course units, than the prescribed courses during any semester of study but they must cover all the required courses before they can be allowed to graduate.
    7. During the First Level (Level 1) of study, candidates will be required to take ALL the Twelve (12) course units offered in the Programme.
    8. After the First Level, students shall be required to take at each subsequent level not less than six (6) compulsory course units and five (5) electives.  
    9. Each course unit shall be covered in a series of 45 one-hour lecture equivalent minus field trips where applicable.  For this purpose, two one-hour tutorials or one three-hour practical is equivalent to a one-hour lecture.

 

 

MODE OF DELIVERY

    1. Face-to-Face Mode

      1. Full-time and part-time/evening sessions will be conducted face-to-face, which will comprise lectures/tutorials, individual and group discussions, field trips and practicals. 
      2. Guest lecturers and speakers may be invited for specialized topics. 
      3. The study materials will comprise lecture notes, handouts and other reading materials provided by the course instructor. The learner should be able to: attend all the scheduled lectures.

    2. Open, Distance and e-Learning Mode

The open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) mode will be offered off-campus using a multi-media approach, including a variety of self-instructional print and video conferencing materials.

Besides, there will be limited face-to-face instruction during residential training. The face-to-face instruction, which shall not exceed one-third of the instruction time. The ODeL will involve:  

  1. The main media of instruction are print and electronic study materials and are largely home-based.
  2. The study materials are written and include self-instructional modules at the registration time including study books, relevant literature, and interactive devices and self-test.
  3. Limited face-to-face sessions to provide an overview of the course at commencement of the semester, mid-semester and revision period before the examination.
  4. Students are required to attend any scheduled lectures/tutorials where applicable for the courses they have registered for.
  5. Mediated technical and teaching-learning materials; audio cassettes, e-learning materials and video clips.

  1. Blended Learning Mode

This will be a hybrid of face to face with ODeL. Guest lecturers and speakers may be invited for specialized topics.

  1. Provision of Learner Support Services

  1. Each student will have access to support study Centres at the University of Nairobi.
  2. Have access to online resources at the University of Nairobi.
  3. Make use of libraries at the University of Nairobi and related research institutions.

  1. Orientation 

Immediately after registration, the students will be taken through the following important issues as part of the anchorage to University life: 

  1. Introduction to the Institute and entire University of Nairobi structures;
  2. Orientation in ODeL delivery mode;
  3. Study, reading and computer skills;
  4. Time management and techniques in handling assignments;
  5. Mentorship, guidance and counselling;
  6. Challenges of social life on campus and where to get what help.

 

  1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

    1. Student Obligations

  1. A learner shall attend forty-five (45) contact hours of lectures for each course unit registered in a semester. 
  2. The learner must attend at least seventy-five (75%) of the recommended lecture hours per unit whether face-to-face or online. 
  3. The learner shall attend a mandatory orientation on both face-to-face and e-learning modes.

  1. Lecturer and Online Tutor Obligations

  1. The lecturer shall adhere to the curriculum, timetable in giving lectures and tutorials as scheduled as well as examine, mentor learners and supervise research projects appropriately.
  2. The lecturer shall ensure continuous interactivity with the learners on the e-learning platform and electronic Applications (Apps).

  1. STUDENT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

    1. Formative Assessments 

      1. The continuous assessment tests CATs shall account for 40% and will be conducted within the course duration. The learners shall be given at least two (2) CATs. 
      2. The candidate’s end of semester CAT score shall be an average of the number of CATs given during the semester. 
      3. The learners shall also be evaluated through essays, assignments and term papers.

    2. Summative Assessments

The learners shall undertake summative/end of semester examinations.

  1. Industrial Attachment 

A student may be allowed to undertake optional field practice (attachment) after completion of the second semester of the second year of study. 

During the field attachment, students are expected to embark on a research project, which they have to complete and present at a seminar during the fourth year of study.

  1. GRADING SYSTEM

The maximum score a candidate shall get in a course is 100% but, in order, to pass, candidates will require 40%.  These marks shall be translated into letter grades as follows: 

70 - 100%

A

60 - 69%

B

50 - 59%

C

40 - 49%

D

39% and below

E

 

 

  1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

    1. Minimum Admission Requirements 

The regulations and syllabus shall apply to all candidates, wishing to study for the Degree of Arts in Gender and Development studies.

  1. The general University of Nairobi entry requirements shall apply.
  2. Subject to Regulation 3.1.1 candidates with the following qualifications shall be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology:
  1. Those who have a minimum aggregate of C+ (C-plus) in K.C.S.E. or those with the equivalent of a K.C.S.E. from an Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  2. Those who have a minimum aggregate of C (C-plain) in K.C.S.E. plus a Diploma from an Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  3. Those with a minimum aggregate of C- in KCSE plus a certificate and a Diploma from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  4. Those with at least Division II with a credit pass in English in ‘O’ Level (E.A.C.E. or K.C.E.) plus a Diploma from an Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  5. Those who have at least two (2) principal passes in ‘A’ Level (E.A.A.C.E. or K.A.C.E.) or its equivalent from an Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  6. Those with a degree from the University of Nairobi or an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.

  1. Credit Transfer and Exemptions

    1. A candidate from a recognized University wishing to transfer to the BA in Gender and Development Studies programme at the University of Nairobi may be exempted from some courses already covered at his/her University if those courses are deemed relevant to the Purpose of the programme and equivalent to identified related course units. A University of Nairobi student who obtains a credit or credits from a recognized University or equivalent Institution may also be allowed to seek exemption from the relevant course units at the University of Nairobi. The course units from which a candidate may be exempted shall not be more than a third (1/3) of the total prescribed course units required for the award of the BA in Gender and development studies.
    2. Where a candidate wishes to be exempted from any course unit, he/she shall follow the criteria set out below:
    3. The candidate shall send a formal application for exemption to the Academic Registrar, justifying his/her request and attaching evidence of the credentials, which would support such a request. This would include a list of University of Nairobi courses for which the student is interested in getting credit; an official transcript indicating courses that may be equivalent; and descriptions and syllabi/outlines of the courses in which the applicant is seeking transfer of credit.
    4. The candidate shall undertake to submit himself/herself to an exemption examination set and administered by the Institute, and approved by the Senate.  In any such examination, the pass mark shall be fifty per cent (50%).
  1. A candidate who has to take an exemption examination shall be required to pay to the University an exemption fee as may be decided by the Institute.
  2. An exemption examination shall be assessed within three weeks of its taking place, and the Institute Academic Board shall make its recommendations to the Senate, which shall make the final decision. The Academic Registrar shall communicate to the candidate the Senate’s decision.
  3. The Institute’s Academic Board may, for reasons of exceptional academic merit, recommend to Senate the exemption of an applicant from a core course or an elective course without being subjected to an exemption examination.
  4. Course units recommended for exemption should not exceed 1/3 of the total courses in the degree programme.

 

  1. EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

    1. Coursework Examinations

      1. At the end of each course, candidates will be required to sit for a two (2) hours written examination.
      2. A candidate shall not be permitted to sit for the University examinations unless he/she has attended lectures regularly throughout the semester and covered at least two-thirds of the course.
      3. Assessment of each candidate’s performance shall be through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), Essays, Assignments and Term Papers and end of Semester examination.  For each course, Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) shall account for forty per cent (40%) and the final written examination sixty per cent (60%) of the total marks. Candidates will be given at least two CATs. The candidate’s end of semester CAT score shall be an average of the number of CATs given during the semester.
      4. A student, who, for good cause supported with authenticated documentary evidence, fails to sit or complete an end-of-semester examination may be allowed to sit for special examination paper(s) concerned when the examination is next offered.
      5. A candidate who fails any end-of-semester examination paper on the first attempt shall be allowed two more attempts to sit and pass the paper in a supplementary examination.  A candidate who fails a paper may, in consultation with the Institute, and upon approval, substitute that course unit with another unit of the same level from the Institute provided that it is not a core Unit.
      6. Subject to Regulation 7.1.5 a candidate who has up to, but not more than five failed grades at any one time, shall not be allowed to proceed to the next level until they have sat and passed supplementary examinations. Coursework marks shall not be taken into account. 
      7. A candidate shall not be allowed to carry forward more than five (5) failed grades at any one time.
      8. A candidate who has more than five (5) failed grades after three unsuccessful attempts at each of the units concerned shall be discontinued.
      9. To qualify for the award of the degree, a candidate must have studied for and passed in at least forty-five (45) course units, including compulsory common undergraduate course units (where applicable). Where a candidate has taken more than 45 units, only the best forty-five (45) shall be considered in the award of the degree provided that all compulsory courses are taken into account.
      10. The final grade and the best forty-five (45) classifications will be based on the average percentage marks obtained in all the courses taken during the degree programme. 
      11. A candidate who qualifies for the award of the degree shall be placed in one of the classes to be described as First, Second (Upper and Lower) Divisions and Pass. Honours degrees shall be awarded to candidates who have been awarded First Class and Second Class (Upper and Lower Division)

    2. Moderation of Examinations

 

The degree classification of the final degree awarded stipulated in 8.1 above shall be based on the aggregated score of the course taken as follows:

First Class Honours

70% and above

Second Class Honours Upper Division

60- 69%

Second Class Honours Lower Division

50-59

Pass

40 - 49% 





 

Classification of the Degree

The common regulation of the University of Nairobi regarding the examination of research projects and dissertations shall apply.

GRADUATION REGULATIONS

  1. Award of the Degree

    1. To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Gender and Development Studies), acronym – BA (Gender and Development studies) a candidate must have studied for and passed in at least forty-five  (45) course units, including all the compulsory and common undergraduate course units (where applicable).  
    2. Where a candidate has taken more than forty-five (45) units, only the best 45 shall be considered in the award of the degree provided that all compulsory courses are taken into account. 
    3. The final grade and the best forty-five (45) classifications will be based on the average percentage marks obtained in all the courses taken during the degree programme. 
    4. A candidate who qualifies for the award of the degree shall be placed in one of the classes to be described as First, Second (Upper and Lower) Divisions and Pass. Honours degrees shall be awarded to candidates who have been awarded First Class and Second Class (Upper and Lower Division). 

 

 

The summative examinations shall be moderated by both internal and external examiners selected by the Institute and approved by Senate according to the common examination regulations. ​​​​​​​

 

 

  1.  Fee Structure (Module II)

BA Gender & Development Studies  (Min. 4 units) 

No. of units

Cost

Tuition @ 10,000

1.00

10,000.00

Exams/unit per semester

1.00

  1,000.00

Caution – paid once

  

  5,000.00

Computer/year

  

  5,000.00

Medical/year

  

  5,000.00

Activity/year

  

  2,000.00

Student Organization (UNSA)

  

  1,000.00

ID/yr

  

      500.00

Registration/ Semester

  

  1,000.00

Library/Semester

  

  2,000.00
 

Units

  

Semester 1

6

  87,500.00

Semesters 2,3,5,6,&8

5

  58,000.00

Semesters 4,& 7

5

  71,500.00

Total

41

520,500/-
Exams Regulations

Exams Regulations

  At the end of each course, candidates will be required to sit for a 2 (two) hour written examination.

N20     A candidate shall not be permitted to sit for the University examinations unless he/she has attended lectures regularly throughout the semester and covered at least two thirds of the course.

N21     Assessment of each candidate’s performance shall be through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), Essays, Assignments and Term Papers and end of Semester examination.  For each course, Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) shall account for 30% and the final written examination 70% of the total marks.  Candidates will be given at least two CATs.  The candidate’s end of semester CAT score shall be an average of the number of CATs given during the semester.

N22     The maximum score a candidate shall get in a course is 100% but, in order, to pass, candidates will require 40%.  These marks shall be translated into letter grades as follows: 70% - 100% = A, 60% - 69% = B, 50% - 59% = C, 40% - 49% = D, 39% and below =E.

N23     A student, who, for good cause supported with authenticated documentary evidence, fails to sit or complete an end-of-semester examination may be allowed to sit forspecial exampaper(s) concerned when the examination is nextoffered.

N24     A candidate who fails any end-of-semester examination paper on the first attempt shall be allowed two more attempts to sit and pass the paper in supplementary examination.  A candidate who fails a paper may, in consultation with the Institute, and upon approvalsubstitute that course unit with another unit of the same level from the Instituteprovided that it is not a core Unit.

N25     Subject to Regulation N23 a candidate who has up to, but not more than five failed gradesat any one time shall be allowed to proceed to the next level until they have sat and passed supplementary exams.Coursework marks shall not be taken into account.

N26     A candidate shall notbe allowed to carry forward more than 5 (five) failed grades at any one time.

N27     A candidate who has more than 5 (five) failed grades after three unsuccessful attempts at each of the units concerned shall be discontinued.

N28     To qualify for the award of the degree, a candidate must have studied for and passed in at least 45 (forty-five)course units, including compulsory common undergraduate course unit (where applicable).  Where a candidate has taken more than 45 units, only the best 44 shall be considered in the award of the degree provided that all compulsory courses are taken into account.

N29     The Final grade and the best 44 classification will be based on the average percentage marks obtained in all the courses taken during the degree programme.

N30     The classification of the final award will be based on the following: