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PL52133: Gender theory

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Critical review of key readings (CWES 30% - Qualifying Mark: 50)
  • Essay drawing on one theorist covered on this unit to analyse a contemporary phenomenon (CWES 70% - Qualifying Mark: 50)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  • demonstrate in-depth knowledge of advanced feminist theory;
  • demonstrate understanding of how this relates to 'mainstream' political theory;
  • critically assess a range of theoretical assertions made by key thinkers;
  • apply key theoretical concepts to real-world situations;
  • analyse contemporary events with reference to feminist theories.



Synopsis: Gain a comprehensive introduction to gender and feminist theory. You'll approach a wide variety of gender and feminist theories and gain an appreciation of the ways in whichpolitics, society and international relations are gendered. You'll also learn about major theoretical debates within feminist thought and demonstrate the relevance of feminist thought to contemporary issues via written assignments.

Content: This unit will cover the central debates in feminist theory and feminist activism historically, including feminist theories of power, difference, the family and political struggle. It will do so by exploring a series of binary concepts that are key to feminist thought, e.g. sex versus gender, public versus private, equality versus difference, nature versus technology, protection versus liberation, and cultural versus material. An intersectional lens will be applied throughout.

Course availability:

PL52133 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

PL52133 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM16 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics, Policy and Society
  • THPL-AFM43 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics, Policy and Society
  • THPL-AFM17 : MA Contemporary European Studies with Transatlantic Track (Euromasters)
  • THPL-AFM44 : MA Contemporary European Studies with Transatlantic Track (Euromasters) 
  • THPL-AFM41 : MA International Relations 
  • THPL-AFM42 : MA International Security 

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.