It is generally accepted that differences between rich and poor, between skin colours, or between Christians and Muslims are undeniable factors in people’s lives. Functioning as a woman or a man, with particular sexual dispositions, holds comparable significance. Gender, Sexuality and Society is devoted to enhance our understanding of the differences among groups of women and groups of men - as well as between women and men - in an era of globalisation. This programme offers a systematic attempt to address structurally embedded prescriptions concerning gender relations and sexual behaviour on a par with other analytical variables such as class, ethnicity, religion, age, or political ideology.

Gender, Sexuality and Society aims to integrate the social and cultural imperatives that shape gendered identities and sexual relationships into the normal research repertoire of social scientists. Accordingly, you will learn how to incorporate a multidisciplinary and transnational approach. The historical and comparative dimensions emphasised in the majority of the courses train you to analyse issues in society and culture from various perspectives and to put them in their wide-ranging sociological, political and cultural contexts.

This programme is unique as it is positioned in the social sciences, whereas the majority of gender and/or sexuality studies are located within the humanities. The combination of empirical studies with theoretical reflection provides the student with a solid theoretical, conceptual, and methodological foundation to better understand, analyse and cope with the world’s contemporary problems and complexities related to gender and/or sexuality.

Student profile

We dare you to look in the mirror first before studying the outside world. The intellectual initiative of gender and sexuality studies aims to integrate the social and cultural imperatives that shape gendered identities and sexual desire, behaviour and relationships into the normal research repertoire of social scientists.

Competencies

The programme provides you with a solid theoretical, conceptual, and methodological foun-dation for the empirical study of social issues where gender and/or sexuality are explicitly or implicitly at stake.

Focus on research

The UvA has a sophisticated, experienced and international oriented teaching staff, a well-built network of experts outside the university, specialised libraries and archives, and a student network. Expertise in gender and sexuality studies has been developed since their incipience in the late 1970s. The staff employs an interdisciplinary perspective, having specialisations in women's, gender and queer studies, as well as sociology, anthropology, history, political science, and philosophy. This lively and colourful academic community is, above all, based in a city that is famous for its liberal sexual attitudes and knows many interesting spots for people who are interested in the field of gender and sexuality.

Ambition in research?

For students interested in this field of study, we also offer a two-year Research Master’s programme in Social Sciences

Academic partners

This Master's programme Sociology: Gender, Sexuality and Society is an academic partner of the following institutes:

• Summer Institute on Sexuality, Culture and Society (GSSS)
• Amsterdam Research Center for Gender and Sexuality.

Degree certificate

Gender, Sexuality and Society is a track of the accredited degree programme Sociology. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Sociology and the title Master of Science (MSc).