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

Admission

If you would like to take this course, you must apply directly to International Summer School.

Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway. Minimum academic requirements.

Teaching

The course consists of 24 lectures, 3 hours daily, Monday to Friday, for six weeks. Classroom sessions include lectures and group discussions, often based on comparative analysis. Field trips to institutions in Oslo are included.

Daily attendance is expected of all participants. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of the lectures in order to take the final exam.

Examination

The course is graded on the basis of a final take-home exam.

In order to take the exam, students must have completed the following requirements:

  • The mandatory participation requirement (75%).
  • Mandatory group work (pass/fail)

The exam will consist of a 3-day take-home exam on a given topic. The exam must have a length of 8 pages (2300 characters per page, not counting spaces). References are not included in the word count.

You can check your results and order transcripts in Studentweb three weeks after the exam.

Submit assignments in Inspera

You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.

Use of sources and citation

You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Candidates who have a re-scheduled or new examination are allowed take the next ordinary examination. If you have successfully passed obligatory assignments, or other compulsory activities required before you are qualified to attend the exam, you need not re-sit these.

Only students with either valid absence (doctor's note) or students who failed the exam can re-sit an exam.

Withdrawal from an examination

A student can take the class and sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must submit the Course change and withdrawal request form  at the latest one week before the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam, which is the general rule at UiO.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Other

This course is offered in cooperation with the Centre for Gender Research at UiO.

Facts about this course

Credits
15
Level
Bachelor
Teaching
Every summer
Examination
Every summer
Teaching language
English