General description

Short introduction into gender theories, feminist critiques of social policy, (de)commodification, (de)familialization, care work, employment, gender mainstreaming and EU policy, intersectionality.

Learning outcomes

The course’s aim is to enable the students to critically reflect the interrelationship of social policy and gender. Focusing on contemporary development in the gender and social policy, the structural influence on women’s and men’s individual choices is discussed concerning society, employment and family in the field of social policy. Students will be equipped with the skills necessary for advanced research and understanding relation between gender and social policy:
- Concept of gender
- Social Policy and Gender
- Employment and Gender
- Family and Gender
- EU-policies and gender mainstreaming
- Intersectionality

Contents

The concept of gender is in transition. The course focuses on recent developments in Social Policy and the changes that occur on individual and social level. First of all, the students develop a common understanding of the concept of gender and the contemporary debate.
Secondly, early feminist critique is discussed regarding the patriarchal state and social policy. Earlier research saw states either contributing to the social reproduction of gender inequality or diminishing gender hierarchy. Contemporary research focuses on the diverse influence of social policy on gender issues.
Thirdly, the organisation and structure of employment and care work are main issues for gendered social political analyses. Different theories are discussed explaining variations between and within women and men.
Finally, the focus shifts to the European Union. European Union policy has an effect on the national policy on gender equality and vice versa. The Commission develops certain targets, which the member states have to achieve. In addition, gender mainstreaming as a tool to obtain equality is scrutinised regarding its implementation as transformative, sameness or difference model in European and national policies. Furthermore, the approach of intersectionality is focused in a final section.

Teaching methods

Teaching method	Contact	Online
Lectures

Introductory lectures during Intensive Program, afterwards discussion boards and tutoring supported by Moodle and individual studies of the theoretical literature and other sources of course.

Teaching language

English

Evaluation and evaluation criteria

Numeric 1-5.
Alternative 1: 70% paper (15 000 signs) & 30% active participation Alternative 2: Book examination & 30% of active participation. Active participation means participation of the students in the online discussions.

Study materials

Reading list will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Belongs to following study modules