Gender, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

After completed studies the student shall be able to

• account, on an elementary level in written and oral form, for how gender relations structure society and culture,
• account, on an elementary level in written and oral form, for how gender interacts with other power relations such as ethnicity, class and sexuality,
• demonstrate an elementary understanding of different theoretical perspectives on gender, and
• demonstrate in written form an elementary ability to discuss and critically examine different perspectives and arguments relating to gender.

Content

The course provides introductory knowledge about how gender structures society and culture, in interaction with other identity categories and relations of inequality such as race/ethnicity, sexuality and class. In the course various feminist theories are explored and compared. Key realms structured by gendered power relations, such as sexuality, work, family, violence and politics, are addressed. Alongside examining material and cultural aspects of inequalities between women and men, the course complexifies the notion of gender through intersectional and queer perspectives. The transdisciplinary approach of the course makes it suitable as a complement to studies in all areas of the social and human sciences.

Examinations and grades

Gender I, 5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Gender II, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

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 determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

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

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

Comments on grades

The final course grade is based on the grade of the examination Gender I, 5 credits. Examinations using the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) are not included in the final course grade. However, Pass (G) are required for a passing grade to be awarded for the full course.

Modes of assessment

Gender I, 5 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination.

Gender II, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Oral examinations and written assignments.

Comments on modes of assessment
Examination deadline
An examination shall be carried out at the time decided by the university. If an examination, which involves that the student can do the assignment in another place than in the university's premises (for example take-home examination), can not be submitted on time, the examiner decides how the examination shall be handled.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade on the examination may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments must be carried out according to the teacher’s instructions and submitted to the teacher within one week after the student is notified of the failing grade.

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

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements for university studies.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

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.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

Connell, Raewyn W., & Pearse, Rebecca (2014)
Gender – In World Perspective (3rd ed.)
Cambridge: Polity Press

Crenshaw, Kimberlé (1991)
”Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics and violence against women of color”
Stanford Law Review 43(6), 1241–1299

Drenten, Jenna, Gurrieri, Lauren, & Meagan, Tyler (2020)
”Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention”
Gender, Work & Organization 27(1), 41–66

Farris, R. Sara (2012)
“Femonationalism and the ‘regular’ army of labor called migrant women”
History of the Present 2(2), 184-199

Felluga, Dino (2011)
"Modules on Butler. I: On Gender and Sex"
Introductory Guide to Critical Theory
http://www.purdue.edu/guidetotheory/genderandsex/modules/butlergendersex.html

Felluga, Dino (2011)
"Modules on Butler. II: On Performativity"
Introductory Guide to Critical Theory http://www.purdue.edu/guidetotheory/genderandsex/modules/butlerperformativity.html

Gunnarsson, Lena (2018)
“’Excuse Me, But Are You Raping Me Now?’ Discourse and Experience in (the Grey Areas of) Sexual Violence” NORA: Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research 26(1), 4–18

Hochschild, Arlie (2024)
“Love and Gold” https://www.humiliationstudies.org/documents/HochschildLoveandGold.pdf
In Ehrenreich & Hochschild (ed) Global woman: Nannies, Maids and Sex Workers in the New economy (rev.ed)
New York: Holt

Mendes, Kaitlyn, Ringrose, Jessica, & Keller, Jessalyn (2018)
”#MeToo and the promise and pitfalls of challenging rape culture through digital feminist activism”
European Journal of Women’s Studies 25(2), 236–246

Pyne, Jake (2015)
Transfeminist Theory and Action: Trans Women and the Contested Terrain of Women’s Services
I O’Niell, Swan & Mule (Red.), LGBTQ people and social work: Intersectional perspectives (s. 129-149)
Toronto: Brown Bear Press

Additional and Comments
Additional literature at 100 pages may be added.

Additional Reading

Mellor, Mary (2006)
“Ecofeminist political economy”
International Journal of Green Economics 1(1-2), 139–150