Global Gender Studies: Introduction to contemporary gender studies

Over the past half-century, issues surrounding women and men, gender equality, and gender roles have been intensely debated in many societies. At the same time, these categories have been questioned and challenged, particularly with the increased visibility of non-binary identities and sexualities beyond heteronormativity.

This, along with the understanding that gender and sexuality are not fixed categories universally understood in the same way across different cultures and historical periods, has led to a shift from talking about “feminism” to “feminisms.”

In this course, you will explore the characteristics of different feminisms and gender theories from local, regional, and global perspectives. You will also examine how these theories shape our understanding of sexualities, gender identities, ethnicities, and social class.

The teaching in Global Gender Studies takes the form of lectures and seminars. In the seminars you will get the opportunity to deepen your understanding and let your views be confronted with the perspectives of other students. A fundamental part of the courses' design is continuous writing assignments, which give you an opportunity to develop your own thinking and writing. The courses are held in English with both Swedish and international students.