Gender, Sex, Bodies: Theories and Debates, 15 Credits

Contents

This is a cross-disciplinary course on biological and constructionist explanatory models for giving meaning to sex, gender and the body. The course is divided into two modules. The first module, Conceptualizing gendered bodies: historical and contemporary understandings and debates (7,5 ECTS) begins by introducing central concepts in relation to historical and contemporary frontiers of debate and knowledge in different fields and disciplines where research debates have been particularly marked. The second module Theoretical and methodological studies (7,5 ECTS) involves an extended focus on theoretical and methodological issues. Active participation by students in seminars is vital to complete course. The course is taught in English.

Expected learning outcomes

Module 1: Conceptualizing gendered bodies: historical and contemporary understandings and debates
(7,5 ECTS)
After the course the student shall
- be able to give an account of central concepts, research theories and debates about gender and sexuality.
- be able to give an account of how these concepts and theories are used to give meaning to gender in some specific academic disciplines
- in a written assignment, be able to critically scrutinize perceptions and theories of gender

Module 2: Theoretical and methodological studies
(7,5 ECTS)
After the course the student shall
- be able to give account of some central theoretical and methodological positions regarding gender.
- be able to make independent examinations and applications of some methodological positions within gender studies.
- in a written paper, be able to make a critical analysis of theories and methods in relation to one chosen area of the course.

Required Knowledge

Requierements: 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/5 from Swedish Upper secondary education.

Form of instruction

Teaching is conducted through lectures and seminars. Seminars are compulsory, and students who are unable to participate may be given extra examination tasks. Emphasis is placed on students’ independent work.

Examination modes

The course will be examined successively through active participation in seminars, and through individual oral, and written examinations. The examination of module 1 consists of a written assignment. The examination of module 2 consists of one written paper, where a critical analysis of theories and debates in one chosen theme area is done. 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 at both modules. 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.