This course is an overview of Finnish gender studies today, both in the humanities and the social sciences. As such, the course also provides insights into contemporary society, dealing with representations of gender, Finnish research on gendered power, normativity and intersectionality. Also addressed will be global equality questions and multicultural issues in Finnish and partly in a Scandinavian/northern European context.The course is divided into various themes examined in daily lectures (2 hours) and group discussions and/or excursions.The course explores such cultural topics as representations of gender, normativity, emotions, media and representations, fashion, home and domesticity, consumption and gender, and sex and public space. Political/societal questions include gender and nation, gendered citizenship, silenced history of colonialisation, and gender equality as an export product. A key part of the course is intersectionality as both a method and a subject. The course also highlights the significance of dealing with theories and practical examples and questions.For each theme the students will read academic texts and other material available on the internet and discuss them in groups. The course will be assisted by designated tutors from the Helsinki-based Gender Studies Master%E2%80%99s Programme. The students will use the Moodle learning environment for pre-assignments and the learning diary. Additional activities will be provided together with the Hilma network, a University Network on Gender Studies in Finland.

Course leader
MA Aino-Maija Hiltunen

Target group
Advanced Bachelor's and Master's level students. Previous studies in multidisciplinary gender studies are recommended, but are not obligatory.

Course aim
To gain insights into Finnish society, equality questions of the Finnish welfare state and representations of gender. To learn about Finnish research on gender and gendered power, normativity and intersectionality. To work as a group in analysing texts and in assignments guided by practices of feminist pedagogy. To learn new methods such as taking part in a group exam.

Fee info
EUR 640: This course fee applies to degree and PhD students who pay the fee before June 1, 2015.

Helsinki Summer School
Address: P.O. Box 3 University of Helsinki
Postal code: FI-00014
City: Helsinki
Country: Finland
Website: http://helsinkisummerschool.fi
E-mail: summer-school@helsinki.fi
Phone: +358 (0)2 941 40255