Critical Studies on Law and Gender in Nordic Contexts, 15 Credits

Contents

This course is based on gender studies on legal theory and practice in Nordic welfare states. It will highlight the tension between the images of women-friendly welfare states and the reality of gender equality law on a comparative basis. Another central topic is to study law from several critical perspectives relevant for Nordic legal cultures. One of them is the central contradiction between justice related to economic distribution and justice as cultural recognition. New approaches in gender studies influenced by the transformation of the Nordic model, such as Europeanization and new governance, will also be tackled.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student shall have the ability to:
- explain and analyze the relation between law and society in the field of gender equality in the different Nordic countries,
- apply gender theory and everyday life perspectives on contemporary gender issues in various Nordic contexts, and
- critically analyze hegemonic discourses in Nordic legal contexts from broad gender perspectives.

Required Knowledge

A minimum of 90 university credits in one main field of social sciences studies, including an individual essay carrying at least 15 university credits and also a course on Introduction to law carrying at least 15 university credits, or 120 university credits from the Law Programme or equivalent qualifications.
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

The course is a half time course, which will be scheduled for the whole spring semester. It is organized in the form of interactive seminars that problematize the obligatory literature. The course will be examined on the basis of an individual student thesis, defended on a seminar. Participants shall both defend and discuss a thesis.

All instructions, discussions, course literature and examination will take place in English.
 

Examination modes

Examination takes place through fulfillment of two parts. The first is the active participation in discussion at seminars and fulfillment of written assignments. The second part consists of an individual student thesis, defended on a seminar. Participants shall both defend and discuss a thesis.
Examination is in total the interactive participation on mandatory seminars, written assignments, the student thesis and the functions of defence and discussant roles. For the first part the grades are Fail (U) or Pass (G). For the thesis, the role as discussant and for the entire course the grades are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).

Transfers
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/