Gender, Welfare and Power, 15 Credits

Contents

The course deals with gender and feminist perspectives on welfare. It consists of two modules. During module one, the different ways in which western societies have organized welfare for their citizens will be examined by critically reviewing the concept of welfare regimes. This will be followed by an analysis of the concept of citizenship from a feminist perspective. Finally, work and the family’s importance for different models of sustenance will be examined. The different themes will be examined using theoretical categories such as sex, class, ethnicity, sexuality and age as well as comparatively over time and place. During module two the students will work individually with a theme of their own choice.

Expected learning outcomes

Module 1: Gender perspectives on welfare and power (10 credits)
On successful completion of the module, the student will:
- be familiar with, and be able to apply theories on gender within the theme welfare
- have in-depth knowledge about citizenship, power and the welfare state
- have in-depth knowledge about the importance of work, family and gender in different sustenance models of welfare states

Module 2: Individual advanced work (5 credits)
On successful completion of the module, the student will:
- be able to distinguish between, describe and present a qualified research question related to welfare, gender and power.

In addition to the above expected learning outcomes, students will:
- be able to express qualified views in seminar discussions, initiate and lead discussions and be able to communicate their knowledge on the themes welfare and gender both verbally and in written assignments –within both academic and popular science contexts.

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.
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section).

Form of instruction

Teaching is conducted through lectures and seminars. The seminars are compulsory, and students who are unable to participate will be given extra written examination tasks. The time to hand in extra examinations follow the same rules as renewed examination in general, that is within two year after the student registered. Emphasis is placed on students' independent work. The course is taught in English.

Examination modes

The course will be examined successively through active participation in seminars, and through individual oral, and written examination. The examination of  module 1 consists of a written home assignment. The examination of module 2 consists of a written home assignment (PM) that is also examined orally at a seminar, and through active participation at the PM-seminar.

For both modules and the course as a whole, the following grades are given: Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG). In order to be awarded Pass for the entire course, it is necessary that all examinations and all compulsory teaching sessions have been passed. In order to achieve Pass with distinction on the whole course, this grade is demanded for at least Module 1.

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.

Academic credit transfer
This course cannot be credited for other courses in gender studies at Umeå University.