Introduction in Gender and Diversity Studies

6 ECTS credits
174 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 1006919ANR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Enrollment Requirements

Studenten die dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen, moeten minstens 30 ECTS-credits op bachelorniveau behaald hebben.

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool

Department

Political Science

Educational team

Gily Coene (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
148 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

The course offers an introductory overview of developments, debates, concepts and theories in the interdisciplinary domain of gender and diversity studies. This comprises the following topics: the development of feminist movements and theorizing; evolutions in gender studies as an academic discipline; the development of queer- and masculinity studies; the influence of post-colonial and intersectional theories; gender studies in relation to theories of multiculturalism and (super)diversity. Next to broad theoretical perspectives, the course provides presentations of specific research in a variety of academic and policy domains.

The lectures discuss the most important theoretical concepts and debates, like equality/difference, the sex/gender-debate, standpoint epistemology, the influence of post-structuralism and the intersection of gender and other factors of differentiation like ethnicity, class, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion, citizenship and ability.

Guest lectures further illustrate how insights from gender- and diversity studies are crucial in a variety of academic disciplines and policy domains.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : De PPT's die worden verspreid, Canvas
Digital course material (Required) : De reader die wordt aangeboden, Canvas

Additional info

The course is a recommended preparation to the course ‘Gender, Diversity & Politics’ (Master Political Sciences), Overview Feminist Thought (Master Philosophy & Moral Sciences) and the Interuniversitary Master Gender and Diversity.

The course material consists of powerpoints and a reader with a selection of academic articles (mandatory and recommended). The students will receive a course overview with a short description of each session, the mandatory and recommended lecture.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the competences to:

have insight in and knowledge of ideas and arguments of crucial authors, concepts and theories in gender- and diversity studies; they are able to name, describe, explain, situate and apply them.
distinguish between differing theoretical and epistemological perspectives and to apply these in academic, societal and policy debates.
analyze a contemporary topic, debate, article… and to formulate critical reflections based on the course material.
process scientific articles and academic lectures in a coherent text, and are able to connect the ideas in these texts and lectures with concepts and theories presented in the course.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Multiple Choice Exam with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.
Essay with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The evaluation consists of a written exam (100% of the final grade) composed of:

A section of multiple choice questions (standaard setting)
An essay: based on academic lectures and scientific articles, the students write an essay in which they, following instructions provided in the lectures, discuss authors, theories and concepts that were presented in the course

Information concerning grading and standaard setting will be presented at the beginning of the exam and on the examination form. The students are expected to thoroughly study and process the course material and to explicitly refer to it in the essay. During class and via Canvas, format and expectations of the exam will be elucidated by presenting model questions.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context