ENGENDERING WORLD POLITICS - 2021/2

Module code: POL3067

Module Overview

This module seeks to introduce students to a range of topics relating to the roles of gender structures and sexuality in defining international relations and world politics. The module will explore the complex interactions that underpin the relationship between the personal and the international. The module will look at key debates in feminist and sexualities theorising, in order to show how the concepts of gender and sexuality require scholars to unpack key defining concepts such as “masculinity” and “femininity”.

Module provider

Politics

Module Leader

GUERRA Simona (Politics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 6

Independent Learning Hours: 109

Seminar Hours: 16

Guided Learning: 8

Captured Content: 11

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The module will cover a range of theoretical perspectives and will apply them to the analysis of key issues and case studies.

The syllabus is likely to include but is not restricted to:

Theories

•           Empirical and Standpoint Feminism

•           Critical and Post-Structuralist Theories

•           Sexualities and ‘Queer’ Theories in International Relations

 

Key Issues/Case Studies

•           Women’s political representation.

•           Sex Trafficking

•           Sexual violence as a weapon of war

•           Masculinity, militarism and nationalism/national identity

•           Global gender divisions of labour – women in the global economy

•           Participation and representation

•           Pornography, sex work and sex tourism

•           Gender based violence

•           Gender and post-colonialism

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework CASE STUDY (3000 WORDS) 60
Examination SEEN EXAM (1.5 HRS) 40

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the development of core skills and the application of theoretical knowledge to applied cases studies. 

The Case Study (3000 words) will assess the student's ability to 


  1. Apply feminist theories and/or gender approaches to the analysis of empirical data, e.g. texts, policies and statistical trends. 

  2. Apply a range of research methods to analyse empirical material



The Seen Exam (90 mins) will assess the student's 


  1. Knowledge of gender approaches to the study of Political Science and International Relations

  2. Ability to draw on different theoretical approaches in order to answer specific questions


Module aims

  • To introduce students to a range of concepts relating to gendered and sexualities  approaches to International Relations
  • To demonstrate the close links between the “personal” and the “international” in the study of world politics.
  • To critically assess the role of key actors in international relations.
  • To identify and assess the impact of social trends in world politics.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Develop analytical and critical skills necessary for the application of gender and sexuality theories to empirical examples. KCPT
002 Develop the ability to synthesise key theoretical concepts and debates in IR. KC
003 Evaluate the changing nature of IR and world politics. KC
004 Form critical arguments KCPT
005 Manage time effectively PT
006 Develop research and writing skills. CPT
007 Communicate persuasively and fluently in speech and writing; PT
008 Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organization and time-management; PT
009 Make appropriate use of information and communication technology. PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:


  • Develop students’ understanding of feminist theories in the social sciences

  • Expand students’ analytical toolkit by introducing them to feminist approaches to research

  • Challenge the assumption that knowledge is value free and neutral

  • Expose student to a range of critical approaches to politics and international relations



 

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • Lecture

  • Seminar

  • Workshops

  • Research labs


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: POL3067

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Public Affairs MPA 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics with Spanish BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics with Creative Writing BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
English Literature with Politics BA (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
International Relations BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law with International Relations LLB (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics and Economics BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics with French BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.