Introduction
The Department offered a BS degree program in GWS with a unique and diverse blend of courses based on GWS initially in the Autumn 2019 after meeting the criterion determined by AIOU and HEC. The program was based on HEC's policy guidelines delineated in the curriculum of BS GWS proposed in 2017. However, right after five years of its offering, it is being revised to streamline and bring it to par with the HEC's 'Undergraduate Education Policy (2023). As per policy, a student enrolled in the BS GWS program may exit the program after completing the first four semesters and may earn an Associate Degree in GWS as per AIOU/HEC policy guidelines. The primary objective of this policy is to promote student success which is envisioned as the ability to comprehend and apply conceptual knowledge, acquire professional skills and competencies, and act as an individual having strong civic and ethical values of tolerance and inclusiveness. Therefore, the program is aimed at offering specialized courses to develop and strengthen the critical skills of the learners fundamentally required to pursue their future higher education goals. The program provides an enabling and congenial learning environment for the learners to be engaged in highly critical academic debates in the fields of GWS. The program, also, focuses on establishing and strengthening the foundations for the Department's higher education programs including MPhil and PhD in GWS as well as other higher education institutions of the country.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the program are to
- provide basic education and training to young learners of GWS
- equip the learners with mandatory critical skills required to accomplish higher education goals
- meet the national needs of young and skillful researchers who can address gender issues and inequality.
- establish, strengthen, and promote research culture in the country
- develop critical thinking and analytical skills of the learners
- provide prospective and aspiring candidates for postgraduate studies in Pakistan's higher education degree-awarding institutions
PROPOSED SEMESTER OF OFFERING
This program is proposed to be offered once a year in autumn semester. The tentative launching date of this program is autumn 2024 semester.
Eligibility Criteria
FA/FSc or equivalent
Selection Process
Open Merit
Duration
Medium of Instruction
Teaching Methodology
Open Distance Learning
Total Credits Hours Required
| Sr. No. | Course Title | Area | Category | Credit Hours | Course Code |
| 1 | Functional English | Functional English | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9382 |
| 2 | Basics of Environmental Sciences | Natural Science | General Education | 3 (2+1) | 9389 |
| 3 | Quantitative Reasoning – I | Quantitative Reasoning | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9424 |
| 4 | Perspective of Gender Studies | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9162 |
| 5 | Social Construction of Gender | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9170 |
| Total | 15 Credit Hours | ||||
| Sr. No. | Course Title | Area | Category | Credit Hours | Course Code |
| 1 | Expository Writing | Expository Writing | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9381 |
| 2 | Islamiat / Ethics (for Non-Muslim) | Islamic Studies / Ethics | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9401 / 5437 |
| 3 | Application of Information and Communication Technologies | ICT | General Education | 3 (2+1) | 9384 |
| 4 | Quantitative Reasoning – II | Quantitative Reasoning | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9383 |
| 5 | Women and Media | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9165 |
| 6 | Perspective of Women Rights in Islam | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9168 |
| 7 | Pakistan Studies | — | — | 3 (3+0) | 9374 |
| Total | 21 Credit Hours | ||||
| Sr. No. | Course Title | Area | Category | Credit Hours | Course Code |
| 1 | Introduction to Sociology: Culture & Society | Social Sciences | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9410 |
| 2 | Ideology and Constitution | Ideology and Constitution | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9378 |
| 3 | Entrepreneurship | Entrepreneurship | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 5026 |
| 4 | Literature of Pakistani Languages | Arts & Humanities | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9006 |
| 5 | Civics and Community Engagement | Civics and Community Engagement | General Education | 3 (3+0) | 9385 |
| 6 | Gender & Development | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9160 |
| Total | 18 Credit Hours | ||||
| Sr. No. | Course Title | Area | Category | Credit Hours | Course Code |
| 1 | Psychology of Gender | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9151 |
| 2 | Women and Development | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9161 |
| 3 | Men & Masculinities | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9171 |
| 4 | Women’s Movements in Global Perspective | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9173 |
| 5 | Feminist Philosophy | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9176 |
| 6 | Gender & Religion | Major | Major | 3 (3+0) | 9181 |
| Total | 18 Credit Hours | ||||
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2
3
4
5
Semesters
Workshop
The online workshop for each course will comprise of 12 hours, with 2 hours daily for 6 days except for project as per AIOU policy. Each semester will have a workshop for the courses offered in that particular semester. There will be an online quiz for every course at the end of the workshop.
The teaching practice course will have a face to face workshop.
Assessment Weightage
| Assignments (Weightage) | Workshop (Attendance & Quizzes) (Weightage) | Final Exam (Weightage) | Passing Marks |
| 20% | 30% Quiz | 50% | 50% (in aggregate). However, 40% marks in final exams is mandatory. |
Note: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reserves the right to amend the fee structure policy, course offering and assessment of courses when required. The existing course(s) will be adopted/adapted as per requirement. The department may change the sequence of the course(s) offering as per availability of course(s).