Gender Equality and Politics

Course Description
This course aims to strengthen awareness and understanding of gender politics in an increasingly globalized world with growing number of influential stakeholders including states, international organizations, NGOs and different forms of social movements. It provides an introduction to the concepts, international framework and methods for working toward gender equality and female empowerment. In single classes the gender issues will be assessed and compared based on different geographical and thematic levels. First classes will analyze existing international framework as it is regulated by the UN through its legal and policy work. Next modules will discuss and compare western approach with the situation in developing world. Second half of the course will be devoted to the most problematic specific issues including violence against women and women in conflicts, reproductive and family rights and gender equality in education, work and politics. The course is intended to be an open discussion forum for an exchange of experience and ideas. The students will be invited to discuss some of the most pertinent and burning issues including right to life vs right to choice; positive actions supporting women vs right to equal treatment and non-discrimination; formal universal approach to gender equality vs existing factual regional and religious differences. Since no gender equality is attainable without cooperation of both genders, the male students and their contributions are mostly welcome. Individual course topics will be supplemented with concrete case studies prepared by the lecturer and students.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
–Understand problematics of gender politics across different contexts;
–Understand how culture, norms and traditions impact gender equality;
–Understand international legal and policy context of gender equality;
–Apply concepts and theories of women's and gender studies in different countries and sector levels;
–Know how multilateral organizations promote gender equality in global agendas;
–Understand interaction between different international players in the field of gender politics;
–Think critically and to provide possible solutions of present problems concerning gender issues;
–Contribute effectively to the larger public conversation about the role of gender in society;
–Demonstrate effective presentation skills.