Gender, Politics and Power

This module explores the ways in which power has been gendered ? where gender has served as a basis for power
distribution and control, as well as the basis for political inclusion / exclusion. There is a focus on issues
of identity politics, political activism, sexuality and citizenship, beginning with the proto-feminist works
from the European 18th and 19th centuries and ending with the work of early twenty-first century feminist and
gender theorists of globalisation. You will gain a thorough introduction to the intellectual traditions,
concepts and political concerns which have shaped the evolution of of struggles around gender issues through
consideration of key texts and debates. The module will also address the social construction of gender, the
relation between feminist theory and activism, and how modern society has responded to issues of citizenship,
power, race, class, gender and sexuality.