Theorizing Gender and Intersectionality

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Theorizing Gender and Intersectionality

  • Host University

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  • Location

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Area of Study

    Behavioral Science, Human Development and Family Studies

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    6
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4
  • Overview

    Course Objective

    Students of this course will acquire the abilities:

    1. to recognize and interpret the main theories, concepts and ideas in gender studies and intersectionality theory;

    2. to apply these theories, concepts and ideas to their major;

    3. to critically question texts from the perspective of gender, race, and sexuality;

    4. to perceive a problem from different disciplinary perspectives;

    5. to define and defend an argument and to communicate the research conclusions verbally and in writing to an educated audience of different disciplines.

    Course Content

    This course introduces into the critical perspectives developed in gender studies and intersectionality theory. The key themes and debates that form the backbone of the minor Gender and Diversity will be introduced in the lectures: the sex/gender debate, social constructivism, sexual difference, performativity, the intersection of race and gender, and of gender and sexuality, the notion ‘intersectionality’.

    The aim of the course is to gain an intersectional and multidisciplinary perspective: in the course we will focus upon the interrelations and divergences between gender, race and sexuality and discuss these from the perspective of the various disciplines of the students.

    The course does not only aim at introducing these debates theoretically, but at stimulating reflection upon their disciplines by the students.

    Additional Information Teaching Methods

    The course will take place in September and October (period 1), in the form of lectures and discussion about texts, twice a week. The final
    course assessment will take place in period 3: students organize a final Gender and Diversity student symposium, and present a poster in which they demonstrate to be able to analyze a subject/text/film/book in their own discipline from the angle of gender and intersectionality.

    Method of Assessment

    - Presentation in class (10%, group assignment) (assessment of learning objectives 2 and 5).

    - Interdisciplinary group paper (group assignment: 40 %) (assessment of learning objectives 2, 3, 4, 5).

    -Written exam about the texts (Individual assignment: 40%) (assessment of learning objective 1).

    - Poster presentation at the final symposium (10 %, individual assignment) (assessment of learning objective 2 and 5).

    Literature

    - Book "Gender Theory in Troubled Times," Kathleen Lennon & Rachel Alsop, Cambridge & Medford: Polity Press, 2020 (Purchase yourself)

    - Texts of: Sara Ahmed, Anne Fausto-Sterling, Simone de Beauvoir, Kimberle Crenshaw, Judith Butler, bell hooks, Jack Halberstam, and others. (These texts will be made available through Canvas.)

    Additional Information Target Audience

    The course is part of the university minor Gender and Diversity.

    Recommended background knowledge

    Required is a bachelor 2 level.

Course Disclaimer

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences 

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