The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Intersectional Indigeneity, Race, Ethnicity, and Politics (IIREP M.A.) offers interested students​ and working public sector professionals seeking an independent M.A., an opportunity to learn how critically to explore the relationships among indigeneity, race, ethnicity, and politics in ways that can inform their work and practice. 

Location

• Storrs Campus

Modality

• In Person

Requirements

The IIREP M.A. Plan of Study requires a minimum of 30 credits, including:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
POLS/ANTH/LLAS 5800	Race in the Formation of the Human Sciences	3
POLS 5000	Independent Study in Political Science	1-6
POLS 5605	Seminar in Quantitative Methods of Political Science	3
or WGSS 5365	Critical Epistemologies and Methodologies
POLS 5615	Seminar in Qualitative Methods of Political Science	3
POLS 5625	Political Science Professional Development	3
POLS 5620	Research Design and Development (one semester Master's Project course)	3

In POLS 5000 Independent Study in Political Science, students must conduct independent research related to IIREP under the supervision of their major advisor. In addition, students must take four elective three-credit 5000/6000-level courses with significant IIREP content. At least two, but no more than three, of the IIREP electives must be taken in POLS. At least one of the four elective courses must have a U.S. focus while at least one must be global in scope.

In each year that they are enrolled, students in the IIREP M.A. must participate in one reading group session in which core IIREP faculty, all enrolled IIREP Graduate Certificate, and all IIREP M.A. students read and discuss one non-course book of relevance to IIREP. IIREP M.A. students must also participate in either one UConn-based graduate student conference or one state, regional, or national conference, sharing research undertaken in their Master’s Project course.

Learning Objectives

1. Knowledge: Develop critical understandings of the major theories and debates in the political scientific and interdisciplinary study of indigeneity, intersectionality, race, and ethnicity. Situate contemporary and historical scholarship within broader contexts of colonialism/anti-colonialism across local, national, and global contexts.
2. Research/Applied Skills: Apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods to analyze, evaluate, and ultimately produce research on the politics of indigeneity, intersectionality, race, and ethnicity. Skill acquisition, application, and refinement will culminate in a masters thesis or an alternative demonstration of the ability to produce graduate-level, professional research. Engage in ethical research that advances justice-oriented understandings of power, identity, contestation, and values.
3. Communication: Cultivate abilities to present complex arguments and research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, visual, and oral forms. Develop skills to interpret, critique, and intervene in popular debates and controversies related to indigeneity, intersectionality, race, and ethnicity.
4. Professional Development and Engagement: Participate actively in ​local to global scholarly communities through reading groups, conferences, and faculty mentorship. Build professional networks and cultivate research agendas, all for the purpose of diversifying and transforming knowledge production within and beyond the university.