Equality in policy and practice, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course deals with gender equality as political ideal and practice and will address questions such as: How has the size and character of the welfare state influenced women's opportunities? How is gender equality understood and practised today? Knowledge of how different historical and ideological choices regarding the welfare state still influence politics today will be provided. The course will also explore the ideal of gender equality from different perspectives and specific emphasis is on examining the ways in which present day societies in general and gender equality in particular are marked by processes of colonialism, heteronormativity and neoliberalism. The course is organized around active student participation and consists of lectures, seminars and written examinations. The course is taught and examined in English.

The course is divided into three broad themes: 1) The development of the welfare state and its implications for gender equality. 2) Heteronormativity, sexuality, and gender equality3) Gender equality in policy and practice.

Expected learning outcomes

Having completed the course, the students are expected to have the ability to:

Knowledge and understanding
After the course, the student is expected to:

• understand and explain different theories of the expansion of the welfare state and how different redistributive systems have diverse implications for gender equality.
• understand and explain the relation between gender and sexuality in policies regarding gender equality,
• understand and explain how gender equality can be conceptualized and filled with meaning

Skills and Abilities
After completing the course, the students shall:

• account for and relate independently regarding policies and aspects that might influence gender equality and discuss central perspectives, dividing lines, concepts and themes that concerns gender and policy in practice 

Judgement and approach
Upon completion of the course, the student shall:

• independently write and present an analysis of a gender equality policy 
• independently apply relevant theories on empirical or theoretical problems related to gender equality policies

Required Knowledge

To be admitted to the course applicants must have completed three semesters of full time studies, equivalent to 90 ECTS, of which at least 15 ECTS must be an independent project or four semesters of full time studies equivalent to 120 ECTS.

English proficiency equivalent to English A/6 from Swedish Upper secondary education.

Form of instruction

The course is a full-time on-line course in English. The course is taught entirely through an electronic Learning Management System where the student takes part in lectures, mandatory assignments and other learning activities. The studies are characterized by a high degree of independent and active search for knowledge, and critical reflection, both individually and in groups.

The course focuses on active learning, i.e. putting knowledge into practice and critically reflecting upon the knowledge. Different strategies for teaching and learning will be used, such as lectures, group discussions and various forms of individual and group exercises on selected topics. To pass the course the student is expected to actively participate in all seminars and to pass the final examination

Examination modes

Examination takes place through fulfilment of two parts:
1) Mandatory assignments during the course
2) Individual written assignment.

For part 1 the grades are Fail (U) or Pass (G). For part 2, as well as for the whole course, the grades are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG). The grade for the whole course in based on the examination of part 2. In order to be awarded Pass for the entire course, it is necessary that all examinations and all compulsory teaching sessions have been passed. A re-sit examination can be offered at the earliest ten days and at the latest three months after publishing information about the first examination. One more examination will be offered within the next year. A student who has passed the examination is not eligible for a new examination to raise grades. The option of a re-examination based on the original course syllabus will be available for at least two years after a student registered for the course. All in all, a student is given five chances of fulfilling the course examination. A student has the right to change examiner after failing two examinations for a course module, unless there are strong arguments against this.

Other regulations

Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more
information, see: www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande/