ISSHF2060 – Gender Equality in the Nordic Countries

Course content

The course gives an introduction to the Nordic context and an overview of how the concept and implementation of gender equality has developed and is currently practiced in the Nordic countries. The main focus is on the period after the 1970s, and themes that are taught relate gender equality to:

  • Work-life balance
  • Access to work, education and politics
  • Nordic gender equality in an intersectional perspective
  • Men and masculinities
  • Gender-based violence

Moreover, dilemmas and paradoxes concerning gender equality in the Nordic countries will be a central theme, as well as the attempt to answer questions as: What can explain change and is there a Nordic model of gender equality?

This is a joint graduate/undergraduate course. Graduate students have additional readings, lectures on theoretical perspectives while undergraduate students work on assignments.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

You will acquire:

  • basic knowledge of the Nordic context
  • knowledge of concepts used in analysing gender equality issues
  • knowledge of different conceptions of gender equality
  • knowledge of challenges and outcomes of gender equality in specific fields

Skills

You will be able to:

  • analyse gender equality issues and to place them in societal and cultural contexts
  • discuss historical processes of gender equality measures in the Nordic region
  • discuss the status of gender equality in fields such as everyday life, education, working life and politics
  • work in an independent, thorough and critical manner with central issues, research literature
  • understand the need to follow ethical norms in academic work

Competencies

After completing the course you have:

  • acquired insight into gender equality issues and processes in general, which can be used to analyse specific gender equality problems
  • the ability to see, analyse and problematize gender equality in texts, practices and policies