CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY - Department of Gender Studies

MATILDA European Master in Women’s and Gender History

http://www.ned.univie.ac.at/matilda

Established as part of the EU Erasmus programme, the MATILDA European Master in Women’s and Gender History is designed for students wishing to develop expertise in women’s and gender history, as well as European history, and who are interested in intercultural exchange.

The programme of study is spread over two years, includes 120 ECTS points, and links five leading European universities in an exciting, innovative and unique venture. Students can expect to study at least two different partner institutions (a ‘home’ and a ‘host’ institution), choosing from among the following:

-University of Vienna (coordinating institution)
-The Central European University (CEU) in Budapest
-The Universite Lumiere Lyon 2
-The University of Nottingham
-The Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

Programme Definition

The MATILDA curriculum includes courses in core subjects in Women’s and Gender History (theory, methodology, and practice) and specialist options covering medieval to modern historical epochs, such as: History of Nationalism and Post-/Colonialism and History of Post-/Socialism; History of Masculinities; History of Gender in the Sciences; History of Gender and Work; History of Gender and Education; Comparative History of Women’s Movements, Women’s Oral History and Gender and Religion.

MATILDA supports integrative perspectives which go beyond local, regional, and national histories in order to situate these histories, as well as European history as a whole, in broader contexts. With its focus on comparative, entangled and transnational history, MATILDA aims to:

-explore the history of gender differences and similarities in European cultures and societies; -investigate the role of gender in shaping European history; -challenge gender inequalities.

In addition to studying in at least two different countries there will also be a summer Intensive Programme during which all students on the course will come together with faculty in order to learn and to strengthen cooperation.

Transparency and comparability will be assured through the European Credit Transfer System and Diploma Supplement/Transcript.

MATILDA Budapest

Transnational and comparative approaches are foregrounded, with place, class, “race,” religion and other categories informing the study of women and gender in history. Thematic foci include histories of “state-socialism,” women’s activism and gender politics, as well as East/West-North/South relations, nation/nationalisms, and body politics. MATILDA brings together faculty from many countries and research traditions with expertise in Gender and Historical Studies (including medieval studies). For the Curriculum Overview 2008-2010 please click here.

Application and Entry Requirements

When to apply?

MATILDA Application Deadline for the academic year 2010/2011: June 10, 2010

The June 10, 2010 deadline applies to candidates with language test scores who wish to be considered with highest priority for tuition waivers and fellowship awards.
Applications received after June 10, 2010 will be considered for admission, but will be on a wait-list for financial aid and thus have a low probability of receiving any tuition waivers or fellowships. Admission offers will be contingent on the possibility for obtaining a study visa by the start of the academic year 2010.
Candidates without language test scores submit an early application by the standard CEU deadline of January 25, 2010 in order to participate in the CEU sponsored TOEFL test. For further information see: http://www.ceu.hu/admissions.html

Tuition fees and financial aid CEU accepts applications from MATILDA candidates for CEU financial aid, including fellowship packages and tuition waivers on the basis of academic merit. In addition, CEU accepts fee-paying students for the MATILDA Program. Student mobility within MATILDA (summer intensive program, semester abroad) will be financially supported by the EU Erasmus program. (Please note however that non-EU citizens may not be eligible for Erasmus mobility funding and that EU-students returning from Hungary to their home country for the study abroad period receive low priority in the Erasmus mobility funding scheme.) MATILDA students with CEU as their home institution will pay tuition fees or receive a tuition waiver at their host institution during the study abroad period according to the requirements at CEU; CEU will interrupt financial aid for MATILDA students’ during their study abroad period.

Entry requirements

For general information on CEU entry requirements and application procedures click here: http://www.ceu.hu/admissions

In addition to meeting CEU’s general entry requirements, MATILDA applicants should possess a BA in a humanities/social science subject and are required to submit the following documents:

One Motivation Letter in English
Two letters of academic reference (in closed envelopes or per email)
A recent CV

MATILDA applicants should have a genuine interest in developing comparative, entangled and transnational approaches to European women’s and gender history. This interest should be reflected especially in the 500-word typewritten Motivation Letter. The Motivation Letter should demonstrate a strong interest in European women’s/gender history. MATILDA welcomes applicants from a variety of backgrounds and therefore need to find out as much as we can about the applicants’ particular background and previous experience of ‘doing’ European women’s/gender history. If the applicant has a background in, or has taken courses in, any area of women’s/gender history or gender studies, she/he should mention it in the Motivation Letter. MATILDA is also interested in whether applicants are familiar with comparative or integrative perspectives which go beyond local, regional, and national histories - and/or why applicants find such perspectives interesting. However, if applicants do not have any academic or professional background in women’s/gender history and/or comparative approaches, then the program coordinators would like to find out why the applicant is interested in applying for this particular degree program and what academic motivations she/he has that make him/her a desirable candidate. In addition, applicants may already have a research proposal or area of interest in mind for a future MA thesis. They are encouraged to submit an outline of either their research interests and/or research project. Such a mini research proposal does not have to be longer than two paragraphs.

Responsibles for MATILDA at CEU Professor Francisca de Haan, email: dehaanf@ceu.hu Professor Susan Zimmermann, email zimmerma@ceu.hu