1. The first goal is for you to learn about different conceptualizations of gender and familiarize yourself with different analytical tools used to study the relationship between gender and politics. Over the last decades there has been an explosion of gender studies in political science and public administration, and we will spend time examining and critiquing established theories and the empirical evidence supporting them.
2. The second goal of the course is for you to develop an understanding of the role that gender has in the distribution of political power. To accomplish this goal, we study gender differences in political institutions, such as political parties, elected political offices, and in bureaucratic institutions, with a special attention to how gender norms and informal institutions affect opportunities and impact.
3. A third goal is to explore whether gender matters for policy making and implementation. Careful attention will be paid to theories and evidence that expect women to do politics and leadership different from men, both in style, behavior, competency, and areas of attention, and you will get an overview over both literature that support such claims and studies demonstrating more nuanced perspectives on how gender impacts policy processes.   

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge about the literature on gender perspectives in policy making and representation.
• has knowledge about how socialization, norms and informal institutions have gendered consequences and contribute to political inequalities  
• can give an overview over different strands of research in the gender and politics literature
• can give an account of the historical development of studying gender and politics

Skills

The student

• have some training in presenting critical analysis of relevant literature
• can discuss and assess the strengths and shortcomings of different analytical frameworks used to study gender and politics
• understand relevant concepts and theories
• know that gender inequalities vary across countries

General competence

The student

• can use the skills required in this topic on new areas and topics
• can examine, debate, and provide critique of theories and concepts
• understand what is meant by a "gender perspective"

• AORG217 (10 ECTS)

Oral group presentation on a given topic.

The compulsory assignment must be approved in order to take the exam. Approved compulsory assignments are valid in the current and following two semesters.