Syllabus, Feminist Theories and Intersectional Analysis, 2022-09-19 and until further notice

This course focuses on classic and contemporary feminist theoretical debates and explores the complex relations between gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity and class. Through critical readings, central feminist theories will be scrutinized to see how they are able to theorize power dimensions such as heteronormativity, racism, (post)colonialism and class.

The course is divided into two modules. The first module, Feminist theory (7,5 ECTS), opens with an introduction to feminist theory and puts questions of power, sexuality, subjectivity and politics in focus. Different intersectional approaches are discussed, and feminist theory is connected to critical theoretical fields such as queer studies and postcolonialism.

In the second module, we will engage with intersectional analysis of power relations (7,5 ECTS). Through different themes such as place/space, class, body and race/ethnicity we will explore ways of doing intersectional analysis. The course takes its departure from central feminist theory texts and uses critical text analyses as a focus and methodology. Active participation by students in working seminars is vital to the successful completion of the course.

Expected learning outcomes

Module 1: Feminist theory encounters other critical theoretical fields (7,5 ECTS)
After the course the student shall
- be able to independently identify, describe and relate critically to central divisions within feminist theory regarding the meanings of class, ethnicity/race and sexuality.

- be able to, orally and in writing, present an independent analysis related to the central questions in the field of feminist theory and intersectional analysis.

Module 2: Intersectional analysis of power relations (7,5 ECTS)
After the course the student shall
- have achieved comprehension of the different theoretical positions presented during the course and understand their consequences in relation to the intersectional analysis, and be able to apply these understandings in empirical analysis.

- be able to contribute qualified analytical comments at seminars and chair a seminar discussion.

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/6. 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

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.

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 assignment. The examination of module 2 consists of one oral and one written assignment in which the three themes; body, politics, and place/space, are linked to each other. 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. Course diplomas will be issued within 60 days after a passed examination.

Academic credit transfer
This course cannot be credited for other courses in gender studies at Umeå University. A course with the same name (7,5 ECTS), given during Autumn 2006, can be given credits for in this course
corresponding to 7,5 ECTS. For further information we recommend contact with the director of studies.

Literature

Valid from: 2024 week 25

Module 1

Do Muslim women really need saving? Anthopological reflections on Cultural relativism and its Others.
Abu-Lughod Lila
Ingår i: American Anthroplogist, 104(3) pp. 783-790. 2003. : 2003 :
http://org.uib.no/smi/seminars/Pensum/Abu-Lughod.pdf
Mandatory

Whose Counting?
Ahmed Sara
Included in:
Feminist theory

Mandatory
Reading instructions: p. 97-103

Who's afraid of gender?
Butler Judith
[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 & 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

Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of colour
Crenshaw Kimberle´
Stanford: Stanford University School of Law :

Mandatory
Reading instructions: pp. 1241-1299

Critical race theory : an introduction
Delgado Richard., Stefancic Jean.
New York : New York University Press : c2001. : xxi, 167 p. :
Mandatory
Reading instructions: pp. 1-14

Hegemonic feminism revisited : on the promises of intersectionality in times of the precarisation of life
De los Reyes Paulina, Mulinari Diana
Included in:
Nora
London : Taylor & Francis : 1998- :
Mandatory

The subject and power
Foucault Michel
Ingår i: Critical Inquiry, vol. 8, No 4. s.777-795. 1982 :
Mandatory

Introduction
Lewis Reina, Mills Sara
Included in:
Feminist postcolonial theory
Edinburgh : Edinburgh Univ. Press : cop. 2003 : xi, 754 s. : 1-21 pages
Mandatory

Feminist studies : a guide to intersectional theory, methodology and writing
Lykke Nina
London : Routledge : 2010 : xvi, 241 p. :
ISBN: 020385277X
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue

Sexuality
MacKinnon Catharine A
Included in:
The second wave
New York : Routledge : 1997 : 414 s. :
Mandatory
Reading instructions: pp 158-180

Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses
Mohanty Chandra Talpade
Included in:
Feminist review.
London,c 1979- : 1979- :

Mandatory
Reading instructions: p. 61-88

Empathetic reading. The art of reading a text in its own terms
Norlander Kerstin
Swedish Secreteriat for Gender Research : 2013 :
Gender Studies Education and Pedagogy
Mandatory
Reading instructions: pp 10-13

Postcolonial Feminism/Postcolonialism and Feminism
Included in:
A companion to postcolonial studies
Malden, MA : Blackwell Publishers : 2005 : xxiv, 608 p. : 53-71 pages
Mandatory

Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality.
Rubin Gayle S.
Included in:
The Lesbian and gay studies reader
New York : Routledge : 1993 : 666 s. : s. 3-44. pages
Mandatory

Where have all the subjects gone? : bringing together the concepts of intersectionality and subjectification
Staunæs Dorthe
Included in:
NORA
Stockholm : Taylor & Francis : 1993- :
Mandatory

Virgins or whores? Feminist critique of sexuality
Included in:
Sexuality
Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2008 : 151 p. :

Mandatory
Reading instructions: p. 49-74

Governing in the Name of Caring—the Nordic Model of Prostitution and its Punitive Consequences for Migrants Who Sell Sex
Vuolajärvi Niina
Included in:
Sexuality research & social policy : journal of NSRC : SR & SP
2004- : 16 : 151-165 pages

Mandatory

Subjectivity : theories of the self from Freud to Haraway
Mansfield Nick
New York : New York Univ. Press : 2000 : ix, 198 s. :
ISBN: 0-8147-5651-4 (hft.)
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Chapter 4, pp. 51-65

Feminist Perspectives on Power
Included in:
Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy
[Stanford, Calif.] : Stanford University : c1997- :

Mandatory
Reading instructions: https://stanford.library.sydney.edu.au/archives/fall2008/entries/feminist-power/#radi

Reference literature module 1

Module 2

Feminists Theorizing Class - Issues and Arguments
Acker Joan
Included in:
Introduction - The Feminist Problem with Class
Lanham, Mdb Rowman &Littlefield ,c 2006 : Rowman &Littlefield : 2006 : 219 s. :
Mandatory
Reading instructions: pp 15-44

A Very Private Business : Exploring the Demand for Migrant Domestic Workers
Andersson Bridget
Included in:
The European journal of women's studies
London : Sage : 1999- : 14 : 247-264 pages

Mandatory

Still waiting for the hand to be raised : On being crip killjoys at an ableist university
Apelmo Elisabet, Nordgren Camilla
London : Routledge : 2022 :

Mandatory

Cripping sex education: : lessons learned from a programme aimed at young people with mobility impairments
Bahner J
Included in:
Sex education
[Abingdon, Oxfordshire] : Carfax International Publishers : c2001- : 640-654 pages
Mandatory

Intersectionality and Social-Reproduction Feminisms
Ferguson Susan
Included in:
Historical materialism.
London : School of economics : 1992- : 38-60 pages
Mandatory

Contradictions of capital and care
Fraser Nancy
Included in:
New left review.
London,c 1960- : 1960- :
Mandatory

Fraser's care crisis theory meets the Nordic welfare societies
Hansen Lise Lotte, Bjørnholt Margunn, Horn Laura
Included in:
A care crisis in the Nordic welfare states?
Bristol : Policy Press : 2022 : ix, 207 pages :
Mandatory

Crip theory : a useful tool for social analysis
Mery Karlsson Mikael, Rydström Jens
Included in:
Nora
London : Taylor & Francis : 1998- :
Fritt tillgänglig
Mandatory

"Introduction and Ambivalent Femininities"
Skeggs Beverly
Included in:
Formations of class and gender
London : Sage : 1997 : 192 s. :
Mandatory

Feel-bad moments: : Unpacking the complexity of class, gender and whiteness when studying ‘up’
Sohl Lena
Included in:
The European journal of women's studies
London : Sage : 1999- :

Mandatory
Reading instructions: pp. 470-483

The problem with work : feminism, Marxism, antiwork politics, and postwork imaginaries
Weeks Kathi
Durham : Duke University Press : 2011. : 287 s. :
ISBN: 9780822350965 (cloth : alk. paper)
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: pp 1-36

Reference literature module 2

Valid from: 2022 week 36

Module 1

Do Muslim women really need saving? Anthopological reflections on Cultural relativism and its Others.
Abu-Lughod Lila
Ingår i: American Anthroplogist, 104(3) pp. 783-790. 2003. : 2003 :
http://org.uib.no/smi/seminars/Pensum/Abu-Lughod.pdf
Mandatory

Whose Counting?
Ahmed Sara
Included in:
Feminist theory

Mandatory
Reading instructions: p. 97-103

"Feminism and Postmodernism" and "Subjectivity, Historiography, and Politics"
Benhabib Seyla
Included in:
Feminist contentions
New York : Routledge : 1995 : 176 s. :
Mandatory

"Contingent Foundations" and "For a careful reading"
Butler Judith
Included in:
Feminist contentions
New York : Routledge : 1995 : 176 s. :
Mandatory