MA Political Science - European Politics & Policy Pathway (Standard Route)
Year of entry: 2024
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Course unit details:
Gender in Comparative Politics
Unit code | POLI71151 |
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Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Aims
This course gives an overview of the role of gender in comparative politics. Students will have the opportunity to explore and analyse how gender operates in comparative politics, with a global focus. The course examines key dimensions, institutions, and behaviours studied by comparativists with a gender lens, including political behaviour and participation, political parties, legislatures and executives, and policy-making. This course is also designed to give students an understanding of how research is conducted in the field of gender and comparative politics, reflecting the theoretical and methodological plurality of the field, as well as develop the tools needed to critique and evaluate that research.
Learning outcomes
Students should be able to
Knowledge and Understanding:
Explain the key intellectual contributions and perspectives in the field
Explain what it means to say politics is gendered
Intellectual skills:
Analyse the role of gender in comparative politics
Critically evaluate empirical evidence presented in debates within the study of gender and politics
Assess the state of the discipline and offer suggestions for the future
Practical skills:
Argue persuasively for a conclusion
Interpret and use in arguments empirical evidence as it relates to debates in gender and politics
Transferable skills and personal qualities:
Develop ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing
Develop interpersonal and collaborative skills through cooperation with peers
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will take place in a weekly one-hour lecture and a weekly one-hour seminar. The lectures will introduce the key issues and debates within each topic, and the seminars will comprise a discussion of key questions, concepts, theories, and evidence, drawing on key readings (circulated in advance) that often build on or challenge the key themes introduced in the lecture. This structure is designed to encourage peer discussion, interpersonal collaboration, and critical evaluation of the material.
Assessment methods
Assessment task | Length required | Weighting within unit (if relevant) | Feedback |
Essay | 2400 words | 60% | summative |
Critical Review | 1000 words | 25% | summative |
Written Seminar Tasks
| not exceeding 600 words | 15% | Summative |
Recommended reading
- Krook, Mona Lena and Childs, Sarah (2010) Women, Gender, and Politics: A Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Kenny, Meryl and Mackay, Fiona (2018) Feminist and Gender Approaches in Lowndes, Vivien et al. (eds) Theory and Methods in Political Science, 4th Edition
- Celis, Karen et al. (2014) Gender and Politics: A Gendered World, A Gendered Discipline in Waylen, Georgina et al. (eds) The Oxford Handbook of Gender and Politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press. London: Palgrave
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Seminars | 20 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 130 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Charlotte Hargrave | Unit coordinator |
Georgina Waylen | Unit coordinator |