Science, Bodies, and Differences: the Global Politics of Reproduction, 15 credits
(Vetenskap, kroppar och skillnader: reproduktionens globala politik, 15 högskolepoäng)
| Course code | GV006A |
|---|---|
| Subject area | Gender Studies |
| Main field of study | Gender Studies |
| Progressive specialisation | A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements) |
| Academic school | School of Culture and Education |
| Disciplary domain |
Humanities 50%
Social sciences 50% |
| Grading scale | AF |
| Education cycle | Second-cycle (Master) |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Valid from | Spring semester 2024 |
Validation
This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Culture and Education at Södertörn University on 2022-11-10 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.
Entry requirements
Bachelor of Philosophy with a main field of study in the social sciences or humanities. In addition, upper secondary course English 6 or equivalent.
Learning outcomes
On completing the course, the student can:
- in an analytical and independent way, reason around the relationship between scientific and cultural/political understandings of the body, as regards reproductive politics and its significance for constructions of differences at the intersections between gender, ethnicity, sexuality, technology and power
- in an analytical and independent way, describe and reflect on historical and current research into body and reproductive politics in a global context, from feminist and post‑colonial perspectives
- in an in‑depth manner, discuss and reflect on feminist theoretical traditions in the field of body and reproductive politics in speech and writing
- independently formulate and critically analyse complex issues relating to gender, ethnicity, sexuality and reproduction in a global context
- formulate reflexive analyses in a nuanced and independent way, and write and present a short scientific text
- in an independent way, relate to research fields in gender studies with regard to reproductive politics at the interface of studies of science and technology and the cultural and social sciences
- independently and critically assess and evaluate different scientific approaches and concepts, and their geopolitical situatedness.
Course content, modules and examinations
The course explores the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, feminism, science and technology, with an emphasis on life sciences and biomedicine. Specific topics include: feminist and postcolonial critiques of scientific epistemologies and practices; historical and contemporary constructions of difference through biomedical practices and regulatory policies. The course highlights the implications of scientific developments for the cultural and political construction of gender and corporeality and the resulting transformations of parenthood, normality/deviance, self‑determination and citizenship. The course begins by introducing conceptual frameworks of biopolitics, biomedicalization and feminist policy analysis related to the politics of the body. Current developments are considered in a historical perspective of population policy and eugenics. The course literature offers a broad and critical overview of current research related to the global politics of reproduction. The course includes planning and leading one of the joint seminars, and ends with the students writing and presenting a scientific paper, as well as giving each other feedback, at a "mini‑conference" focusing on the course's theme.
1001,
Science, Bodies and Differences: the Global Politics of reproduction,
15 credits
(Vetenskap, kroppar och skillnader: reproduktionens globala politik,
15 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted:
AF
Course design
The course consists of introductory lectures, obligatory seminars with active participation, short written assignments, and a longer written assignment at the end of the course.
The student may choose to submit the written assignments and the take‑home exam in Swedish or in English.
Examination format
• Active participation in seminars. Absence from up to two seminars may be compensated for via written submissions.
• Short written assignments for seminars.
• Plan and lead discussion at a seminar.
• Long written take‑home paper at the end of the course.
• Oral and written feedback on a classmate's written paper at the end of the course.
The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.
If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.
Restrictions on accreditation
The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.