This syllabus is valid: 2023-06-19
and until further notice
Course code: 2KC030
Credit points: 7.5
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Gender Studies: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS)
Revised by: Director of Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS), 2023-06-21
Contents
This course deals with feminist theory and central classical and contemporary debates within feminist theorizing. Taking departure from a variety of feminist and intersectional approaches the course will address questions such as: What is feminist theory? How have feminists theorized and understood the relationship between gender and power, and other intersecting categories?
The course is divided into three broad themes: 1) power and subjectivity, 2) feminism and sexuality 3) postcolonial critique and intersectionality. These themes will be explored through classical texts, lectures, discussions, group assignments, and individual written assignments.
Expected learning outcomes
Having completed this course, the students are expected to have the ability to: Knowledge and understanding:
understand and explain different feminist approaches.
understand how different feminist theories conceptualize power, gender and subjectivity.
Skills and abilities:
identify and compare the diverging lines between different feminist approaches.
independently apply relevant theories on empirical or theoretical problems.
Judgement and approach:
orally and in writing present independent analyses related to central questions regarding power, gender, and subjectivity in feminist theorizing.
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 fulfillment of two parts: 1) Mandatory assignments during the course as well as active participation in seminars 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. The whole course is not graded until part 1 is fulfilled.
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/
Literature
Valid from:
2024 week 25
Abu-Lughod Lila Do Muslim women really need saving? Anthopological reflections on Cultural relativism and its Others. Ingår i: American Anthroplogist, 104(3) pp. 783-790. 2003. : 2003 : http://org.uib.no/smi/seminars/Pensum/Abu-Lughod.pdf Mandatory
Butler Judith Who's afraid of gender? [London] UK : Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Books : 2024 : 308 pages : ISBN: 9780241595824 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: pp. 3-36 and 134-228
The intersectional turn in feminist theory. A dream of a common language? Carbin Maria, Edenheim Sara European Journal of Women Studies. Vol. 20, nr. 3. : Mandatory Reading instructions: pp. 233-248
Feminist Perspectives on Power Included in: Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy [Stanford, Calif.] : Stanford University : c1997- : https://plato.sydney.edu.au/archives/fall2008/entries/feminist-power/#radi Mandatory Reading instructions: https://plato.sydney.edu.au/archives/fall2008/entries/feminist-power/#radi
Foucault Michel The subject and power Included in: Critical inquiry [Elektronisk resurs]. Chicago : Univ. of Chicago : 2002- : 8 : pages 777-795 : Länk till artikel Mandatory
Feminist Studies: A Guide to Intersectional Theory, Methodology and Writing (Routledge advances in feminist studies and intersectionality ; 1) Lykke Nina, Max Novick Routledge : Mandatory
MacKinnon Catharine A Sexuality Included in: The second wave New York : Routledge : 1997 : 414 s. : Mandatory Reading instructions: pp. 158-180
Mohanty Chandra Talpade Under western eyes. Feminist scholarship and colonial discourses. Included in: Feminist review. London,c 1979- : 1979- : pages 61-88 : Mandatory
Norlander Kerstin Empathetic reading. The art of reading a text in its own terms Swedish Secreteriat for Gender Research : 2013 : Gender Studies Education and Pedagogy Mandatory Reading instructions: pp. 10-13
Rubin Gayle Thinking sex Included in: The Lesbian and gay studies reader New York : Routledge : 1993 : 666 s. : pages 3-44 : Mandatory
Staunes Dorthe Where have all the subjects gone? Bringing together the concepts of intersectionality and Subjectification. Included in: NORA Stockholm : Taylor & Francis : 1993- : pages 101-111 : Mandatory Reading instructions: https://search.ub.umu.se/permalink/46UMEA_INST/1l5esu/cdi_informaworld_taylorfrancis_310_1080_08038740310002950
Postcolonial feminism/postcolonialism and feminism Sunder Rajan Rajeswari, Park You-me
Mansfield Nick Subjectivity : theories of the self from Freud to Haraway New York : New York Univ. Press : 2000 : ix, 198 s. : ISBN: 0-8147-5651-4 (hft.) Search the University Library catalogue Reading instructions: pp. 51-65
