Syllabus for Intersectionality

Decisions and guidelines

The course is given both as a programme course and as a standalone course. The course may be given in English.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is for the student to develop an advanced ability to formulate and analyse social problems from an intersectional perspective, and to critically reflect on the importance of such a perspective for sociological theory and methods and for an understanding of societal issues.

Upon completing the course, students should be able to show:

• an advanced knowledge of the development of theorising about intersectionality and of current theoretical discussions of the concept
• that they can independently formulate and critically analyse social problems based on theorising and methodological approaches regarding intersectionality
• that they can reflect critically on what the interplay between power structures based on multiple categorisations implies for theorising and methodological development in research in concerned fields
• that they can relate theorising about intersectionality to other traditions in sociological theory
• that they can communicate independently and with critical reflection, in speech and in writing, what an intersectional analysis involves and how it can be carried out.

Content

The course covers the development of theorising and current theoretical discussions of the concept of intersectionality and its use in understanding the interplay between power structures built on categorisations based on such concepts as sex/gender, class, disability, age, ethnicity and sexuality. Furthermore, the course covers the implications of an intersectional perspective for theorising and methodological development in research in these various fields. Emphasis is given both to the relationship with theorising about each particular categorisation and the relationship with general sociological theorising. Different methodological perspectives for intersectional analysis are treated. Theoretical and methodological problems in intersectional perspectives are highlighted based on empirical studies and current international scientific articles.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and a take-home exam. Participation in seminars is always compulsory. Absence from compulsory components can only partially be compensated by written assignments. If the requirements of attendance are not met the student is referred to the next occasion the course is offered.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a take-home exam, written assignments and active participation in seminars. Assignments that are submitted after the deadline cannot be approved. Students who miss a deadline are referred to the next examination opportunity. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. Special reasons can include notification of special educational support from the university disability coordinator.