Gender Research

Gender studies is an interdisciplinary research field. It has grown out of feminist research on gender and power, and comprehends different areas like feminist studies, equality research, masculinity studies, post-colonial studies, queer studies and sexuality studies. Competence in gender studies is sought by many institutions and organisations, both within the public and the private sector. Gender studies are also useful within professional fields such as journalism and other media professions, and the cultural sphere.

Bachelor's level

Our undergraduate courses draw upon insights from different areas of gender studies. The main focus in our courses lies on how sex and gender operate as social and cultural constructions globally as well as locally. The courses investigate different power relations that have served to define the often hierarchical roles of men and women, historically, culturally and socially. While exploring historically specific meanings of 'femininity' and 'masculinity' as well as how these have been critiqued, gender studies also problematises other power dimensions, and makes visible societal norms related to sexuality, queer, ethnicity, race, class, age and functionality. Hence, gender studies offers critical tools for critical reflection and questioning of often 'taken-for-granted' concepts like power, politics, norms, normality, and agency.

The A-level provides broad competence in current issues and contemporary theories in the field. The course illuminates different dimensions of sex/gender in areas such as sexuality/ies and embodiment, working life and family life, and cultural representations. The B- and C-level offer further studies in current themes in gender studies, as well as gender theory. Research methodology is also central at these levels of study, where the student develops writing and research skills while pursuing individual projects.

Gender studies can be the major in a Bachelor's degree. Competence in gender studies is sought by many institutions and organisations, within both the public and the private sector. Gender studies are also useful within professional fields such as journalism and media, and the cultural sphere.

Master's level

How do ideas about sex, gender, and difference operate within central gender theoretical schools since the twentieth century? In what ways do sex/gender intersect with other dimensions of power in our present-day life? What is the meaning of feminist cultural studies? What does identity politics mean, and is gender a matter of identity or practice? How do men and masculinities figure in the critical studies of gender and power? These and many other questions are addressed in the courses offered in gender studies at the advanced level, that is, the Master level.

Pursuing gender studies at the Master's level entails a further expansion of knowledge in the field, as well as a chance to acquire in-depth knowledge in specific areas within this broad and productive field of research. Programme studies comprise courses, an internship placement, and a Master's thesis. A series of work in progress seminars for Master's students combines presentations by senior researchers with discussions of students' texts; these complement the individual thesis supervision.

In the courses, which are also open to students in other programmes, writing skills and oral presentation are also integrated pedagogical concerns. The courses are closely tied to the research groups at the Centre for Gender Research. The courses have their main bases in research within the humanities and social sciences, but since this is an interdisciplinary research field, they also include perspectives from the natural sciences; the courses also typically draw students with widely divergent disciplinary backgrounds.

Research methodology is also central at the Master's level, where the student develops writing and research skills while pursuing the project that eventually results in the Master's thesis. Students have the possibility of pursuing thesis work in cooperation and dialogue with the research groups that are active at the Centre for Gender Research.