GI6066 - Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation | ||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The module introduces you to issues of diversity, equality and rights; it is designed to broaden your knowledge of political practice (parties, elections, systems of government and law-making) and to add to your understanding of how international governmental and non-governmental organisations work.
You will be introduced to the concepts of gender and patriarchy, and to feminist political and IR theories; it will encourage you to develop informed criticisms of mainstream political and IR theories and practice.
Prior learning requirements
No pre-requisites or co-requisites
Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
The syllabus will include:
1. Patriarchy and Gender: two approaches to understanding power?
2. Do women share specific interests that are separate from men’s?
3. Equality and difference: how to make policy;
4. Identity politics: women and intersectionality;
5. Women’s enfranchisement: getting and using the vote;
6. Women in office: numbers, explanations, and policy;
7. Citizenship: definition, history, and change;
8. Eco-feminism;
9. Democratisation; definition and critique;
10. Security: definition and critique of IR analysis.
All learning outcomes are covered by the syllabus.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
You will attend a two-hour lecture and one hour seminar for 12 weeks and will be expected to undertake at least 6 hours private study per week.
Lectures are interactive and seminars rely on students having undertaken reading and being prepared to participate actively by making presentations and joining in discussion.
Some of the topics addressed are controversial and touch on personal and identity concerns; students are expected to leave preconception and prejudice at the door.
The module uses blended learning, making extensive material available through weblearn including archive and international resources as well as lecture notes, feedback on assessment, and support for research and writing.
Materials for use in class will be posted at least one week in advance online to allow students to reflect on the subject and prepare. Questions for class discussion will be available from the beginning of the module via the weblearn site, which will include a list of resources students can use to answer the questions and study the subject in greater depth.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will have developed:
1. Understanding of a critical literature and theoretical position
2. Knowledge and understanding of feminism as a theory and practice
3. Deeper understanding of political institutions and practices
4. Appreciation of gendered social, political and economic roles
5. Ability to research, construct and present an argument orally and in written form