SA uni defends male studies course

The University of South Australia has defended a new course in men's health, which has been criticised for creating a platform for anti-women views.

The professional certificate course will include studies in biological, physiological, social, economic, cultural and other determinants of male health and examine and compare national and international male health policies.

The university says the course has been approved through the usual process, which includes vetting the lesson material for relevance and accuracy.

But the National Union of Students says the introduction of the course undermines the positive work achieved in the fields of gender studies and women's studies.

"Courses that examine the effects of gender roles on all genders, including men, and look at the way gender is presented in society, are constructive and insightful," president Deanna Taylor said in a statement.

"A course of this kind is not constructive and insightful, but rather provides a dangerous platform for anti-women views."