Course syllabus Feminist Perspectives on Gender, the Military and War

General entry requirements + English B. Or: English 6.

In this course the student explores the relationships between gender and war, through the lens of key concepts and debates. The course poses questions about the gendered nature of war, both in terms of how gender norms shape war as well as how war reshapes gender norms. During the course, the student examines how feminists and other critical scholars have challenged the meaning of war, and explores the implications of analysing political violence through a focus on femininities and masculinities. The student is also given the opportunity to study the military, privatization, and civil–military relations through feminist analytical frameworks.

The student develops their ability to undertake their own analysis from a gender perspective. Dominant understandings of war are challenged from a feminist perspective through practical examples taken from feminist research on current violent conflicts around the world.

Instruction includes online lectures, self-study and participation in mandatory seminars online with the aim of giving the student oppotunities to practice and develop their analytical skills in the study of war and conflict from a feminist perspective.

Type of instruction 

Seminars, lectures, self-study.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe key concepts within the study of gender and war

Competence and skills 

• apply feminist perspectives when analyzing of contemporary wars and warfare 

Judgement and approach

• assess how gender norms shape wars and vice-versa.

The course is assessed through active and constructive participation in mandatory seminars that include independently written assignments.

The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments for the student to be able to achieve a passing grade on the course. A supplementary assignment (kompletteringsuppgift) shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and the supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.

Grading

The student is graded on a two-point grading scale: Fail (U) and Pass (G). Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.

To achieve the grade Pass (G) the student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars and earn a grade of Pass on the written seminar assignments.

Restrictions in number of examinations

There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.