Gender, Power and Politics, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

After completed studies, the student shall be able to

• describe and apply key concepts in the study of gender, power and politics, and in relation to feminist politics,
• verbally and in writing communicate the theoretical perspectives and empirical cases raised throughout the course, and
• critically examine, analyse, and evaluate politics and politisation form a gendered intersectional perspective.

Main content of the course

This 7.5 credit full time course addresses theoretical perspectives on gender, politics and power. What is politics and what constitutes a political problem? The answer is not immediately clear. An example of this is the politicisation of violence against women, which has changed from being constructed as a private (non)issue, to an urgent political problem constructed around global public health, economic costs and gender equality. This course problematises the concept and practice of the political and policy boundaries: what is and who does politics? How do women effect political change in and outside of the formal political system? What are different approaches taken by women? It addresses the emergence of the gender equality project and feminist critique thereof; the gendering of policy areas and representation; interrogates the relationship between security, gender and war; and the political organising of women - from grass roots and EU mobilisation to the international Women, Peace and Security agenda. Intersectional feminist perspectives to problematize gender, power and politics are a key element to the course, which provides examples of how basic feminist theory can be used as analytical tool to understand and critically assess and analyse current political issues.

Teaching methods

Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures, student lead seminar discussions, student presentations and seminar tasks.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Examination I, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Hall-exam.

Examination II (Code: A002)
Compulsory component in the form of participation in seminars.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Examination deadline
If the deadline for the examination is exceeded, the examiner will decide how the examination should be conducted and, when applicable, set the timeframe for it.

Absence from compulsory components of the course
Upon absence from compulsory components, the university's general rules for reexamination apply. If there are special reasons to deviate from the time frame, the examiner decides when the compulsory component should be carried out. However, the examiner can decide that a make-up assignment should be given.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Examination I
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Examination II
Grades used are Participated (DT).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

The final course grade is based on the grade of the examination "Examination I", 7,5 credits. However, Participated (DT) on all other examinations are required for a passing grade to be awarded for the full course.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

This course cannot be included in a degree in combination with the course Gender Studies, Basic Course, 30 credits.

Transitional provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform the students involved.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Ackerly, Brooke & True, Jacqui (2010)
“Back to the Future: Feminist Theory, Activism, and Doing Feminist Research in an Age of Globalization”. Women's Studies International Forum 33: 464–472

Bacchi, Carol Lee (2017)
"Policies as Gendering Practices: Re-Viewing Categorical Distinction". Journal of Women, Politics and Policy 38(1)

Charles, Nickie & Khursheed, Wadia (2017)
"New British feminisms, UK Feminista and young women's activism". Feminist Theory

Connell, Raywyn (2012)
"Transsexual Women and Feminist Thought: Toward New Understanding and New Politics. Signs". Journal of Women in Culture and Society 37(4): 857-881

Cullen, Pauline (2014)
"Feminist NGOs and the European Union: Contracting Opportunities and Strategic Response". Social Movement Studies 14(4): 410-426

Dahlerup, Drude & Freidenvall, Lenita (2005)
"Quotas as a 'Fast Track' to Equal Representation for Women: Why Scandinavia is No Longer the Model" International Feminist Journal of Politics 7(1): 26-48

Dahlerup, Drude & Freidenvall, Lenita (2019)
"Gender, ethnicity, and political inclusion: intersectional sizing representation" in: Borderlands in European gender studies: beyond the East-West frontier [ed] Teresa Kulawik, Zhanna Kravchenko, Routledge, 2019, p. 230-251

Magnusson, Eva, Rönnblom, Malin & Silius, Harriet (eds) (2008)
Critical Studies of Gender Equalities. Nordic dilocations, dilemmas and contradictions
Stockholm and Göteborg: Makadam, (selected chapters)

Olivius, Elisabeth & Rönnblom, Malin (2019)
"In the business of feminism: consultants as Sweden's new gender-equality workers". European Journal of Politics and Gender, Vol. 2, (1)

Sainsbury, Diane & Bergqvist, Christina (2009)
"The Promise and Pitfalls of Gender Mainstreaming". International Feminist Journal of Politics 11(2): 216-234

Tickner, J. Ann (2018)
“Peace and Security from a Feminist Perspective”. The Oxford Handbook of Women, Peace, and Security, no. January: 15–25

Walby, Sylvia (2011)
"What does feminism do?" i Walby, Sylvia: The future of feminism
Bristol: Polity press

Additional Reading

Aggestam, Karin, Bergman, Rosamond, Annika & Kronsell, Annica (2019)
“Theorising Feminist Foreign Policy.” International Relations 33 (1): 23–39

Basu, Amrita (2010)
“Introduction.” In Women’s Movements in the Global Era: The Power of Local Feminism, 1–28. Westview Press

Olivius, Elisabeth & Hedström, Jenny (2019)
"Militarized nationalism as a platform for feminist mobilization? The case of the exiled Burmese women's movement". Women's Studies International Forum

Öhman, Ann, & Emmelin, Maria (2014)
"Development policies, intimate partner violence, Swedish gender equality and global health". Women's Studies International Forum, Vol 46: 115-122

Additional and Comments
Additional literature and course material, up to 200 pages, may be added.