PMWOMCDA - MA Woman and Child Abuse

The MA in Woman and Child Abuse is the only course in the UK that addresses all forms of violence against women and child abuse and the connections between them. The course is delivered by a world-leading specialist research unit (the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit), and content is continuously refreshed, building on CWASU’s own research portfolio and engagement with state of the art research on violence against women and children. Core modules introduce students to theoretical frameworks including feminist perspectives, empirical data, law, policy and practice responses. Optional modules offer students opportunities to tailor the course to their specific interests e.g. human rights, global perspectives, research methods and children and families. The primary modes of delivery will be lectures/presentations, seminars and workshops, combined with small group discussions. Students are expected to prepare for sessions through directed reading and/or collating and analysing data and information. Core modules are delivered in block format (six days each) to enable students to fit the course around work commitments, particularly those who do not live in London.

The overriding aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive grounding in the theories, research and policy and practice approaches to child and woman abuse. The course content and required work will be cross disciplinary addressing criminal justice, social policy, protection, prevention and health and well-being. Students on the course will study the historical approaches to a range of forms of physical, sexual and psychological/emotional abuses of women and children, what research reveals about connections at the levels of causation, practices and consequences and how these abuses are responded to in the diverse communities that comprise the UK and internationally.

The specific aims of the course are to develop:

1. an overview of the various forms of child and woman abuse, the connections between them and debates with respect to their definition/s;
2. a critical understanding of the theoretical, methodological and ethical considerations when researching child and woman abuse;
3. a strong grasp of the current knowledge base with respect to incidence, prevalence, perspectives of victims, perpetrators and responders;
4. an awareness of the historical shifts in perspectives, policies and practices with respect to gender and generation;
5. knowledge of current areas of consensus and debate with respect to evidence based policy and practice in the UK and internationally where applicable;
6. experience applying course content to their own working context.

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Woman and Child Abuse
• apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Woman and Child Abuse
• evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Woman and Child Abuse
• evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
• deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
• exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
• learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

- Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Woman and Child Abuse:

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy
Researching Communities
Qualitative Research
Survey Design and Practice
Quantitative Data Analysis
Evaluation: Principles and Practice

- Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Woman and Child Abuse:

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy
Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People
Sexual Violence: Causes, Consequences and
Interventions
Researching Communities

- Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Woman and Child Abuse.
Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy:

Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People
Sexual Violence: Causes, Consequences and
Interventions
Crime and Offender Patterns

- Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses:

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy
Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People
Researching Communities
Qualitative Research
Survey Design and Practice

- Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and nonspecialist audiences:

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy
Sexual Violence: Causes, Consequences and
Interventions
Global Social Policies
Crime and Offender Patterns
Promoting Equality, Human Rights and Active
Citizenship
International Child Law and Human Rights Law

- Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level:

Context and Practice of Criminal Psychology
Researching Communities
Evaluation: Principles and Practice
Children and Families: Policy and Practice
Promoting Equality, Human Rights and Active
Citizenship

- Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level:

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy
Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People
Sexual Violence: Causes, Consequences and
Interventions
Women Gender and Human Rights
International Child Law and Human Rights Law

- Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations Researching Communities Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development:

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and
Policy
Sexual Violence: Causes, Consequences and
Intervention.

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Skills and learning outcomes are assessed through essays, coursework (including annotated bibliographies and briefings for policymakers) individual presentations and the dissertation. Optional modules may also include reports and examinations as assessments.

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PG Dip Woman and Child Abuse: 4 taught core modules plus 1 Designated Option module and 1 Elective module.

PG Cert Woman and Child Abuse: Sexual Exploitation of Children & Young People, Violence Against Women plus 1 Designated Option module.

The course is particularly suited to those who are working in specialised services for women and children who have experienced violence. It is also excellent preparation for those who are wishing to establish careers in this sector.

Our graduates have gone on to key roles in policymaking or service delivery at local, regional and national levels, and some pursue further studies to PhD level, including with the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A good Honours degree in a relevant subject
• Experience of developing/delivering policy or service provision in the field is particularly appropriate, but the course is also relevant to those with a professional interest in violence against women and children
• Extensive relevant professional experience may be acceptable if you do not have sufficient academic qualifications

If you do not meet the criteria for the MA you have the option of taking a core module as a short course, and on successful completion of assessments can then apply to join the MA.

Everyone who applies for the course is interviewed, and importance is placed on the statement of application. Please contact the course leader, Dr Maddy Coy, to talk about making an application or with any questions about the course (m.coy@londonmet.ac.uk).

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.