Objectives: The student is familiar with the basic concepts and research traditions in Women's Studies, including gender relations in the Nordic societies and Finland in particular.

Contents: The course gives an introduction to the current research themes in Women?s Studies.

Modes of study: Active participation in the introductory lectures as well as the group sessions with course readings, assignments and a learning diary. 

the instructions for the learning diary:

Learning Diary
W.S.1 Introduction to Women?s Studies ?lecture
Spring Term 2009

The learning diary should be based on the lectures, the texts you read and the discussions in the groups. You should be present at each lecture. If, however, you are sick or have some other very good reason for not attending, read two texts (instead of the usual one) for that meeting and write your learning diary based on them. In this case you also need to write a bit longer learning diary.

The purpose of the learning diary is to write about two things. First of all you should write about the main points of each lecture, the readings and reading seminar: what was their most important message from your own point of view? Secondly, you should write about your own relationship to the content of the lecture, readings and the reading seminar. Describe what you have learned from them and how the things you have learned relate to things you have learned previously, for example in other subjects. Did you have preconceived ideas that changed? Give your own examples; bring in a current debate, book, film, personal experiences or things you have learned elsewhere. What kind of tools did you get to reflect upon social and cultural phenomena?

You can have a critical look at the lectures and readings and you can disagree with them. The aim is to write a reflective diary. The learning diary does not have to be an essay-like cohesive piece of writing but it should not fall apart into separate unrelated sentences either. Use subheadings to structure your writing. It is preferable that you write about the issues in the same order as in the lecture series. Type your learning diary and write about one page about each lecture, use 1,5 spacing and letter size 12. It is best if you write the learning diary directly after the lecture and not leave it until later.

The deadline for the learning diaries is 20 March 2009 and you should hand it in printed on paper at Women?s Studies, room Pinni B3143.

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Preliminary programme:

15.1. Introduction and practicalities, lecture and         assignments
22.1  Gender, Sex and Feminisms, lecture and reading seminar
29.1. Sexuality and the Body, lecture and reading seminar
5.2.   Gendered and Sexualised Violence, lecture and reading seminar
12.2. Gender, Culture and Media, lecture and reading seminar
26.2.  Men and Masculinities, lecture and reading seminar
5.3.   Gender, "Race" and Ethnicity, lecture and reading seminar

Registration not required.