SP9230 Intersectionality: Interaction of Social Categories Course description

Gender, ethnicity, social class, age/generation, functional ability and sexual orientation form the basis for social categories that are part of the power relations and forms of dominance in society today. That also makes them important to the freedom of action of groups and individuals and the way in which they understand themselves and others. It is a challenge in empirical analyses to take into consideration that people belong to many different categories at the same time.

Intersectional approaches make it possible for analyses to identify the many-faceted interactions that can constitute social categories and that social categories can produce. This course includes theoretical perspectives and empirical research that are primarily based on affiliation to one of the relevant categories, as well as scholarly works that make dynamic relationships between category affiliations the focus of their analysis.

No prior knowledge requirements

After completing the course, the candidates are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Candidates have

• knowledge about theoretical perspectives that challenge notions that social categories are substantially uniform
• knowledge about social and cultural processes that have contributed/contribute to different forms of category construction

Skills

Candidates have

• an academic basis for conducting complex and dynamic analyses of people's concurrent affiliation to important categories
• an academic basis for analysing and reflecting on power relations in research and social work activities from an intersectional perspective

General competence

Candidates are capable of

• assessing and identifying new research questions in the field
• taking part in debates in national and international forums

Teaching will take the form of lectures and class discussions. Candidates will be divided into groups that cooperate on presentations.

Participation is mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching. A minor absence (up to 20 %) may only be accepted under certain circumstances and upon application. In the event of absences that are not approved, candidates will lose their right to have their essays assessed.

An essay of about 10 pages must be written in connection with the course. The essay must be handed in for assessment by the teacher responsible for the course no later than two months after the last day of the course. A passed essay is a precondition for being awarded the 5 ECTS credits. If the essay is awarded a fail grade, the candidate can submit a revised essay once, by a specified deadline.

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.

Passed- Failed

The essay will be graded by the course lectures.

The target group for the course consists of candidate from the PhD programme in Social Work and Social Policy, but it will also be open to others who wish to study the field of social work and social policy in depth.

Admission requirements for external applicants to individual courses

• The course is primarily for PhD candidates.
• Applicants must send in a certified copy of admission to a PhD program or equivalent, and a summary of approximately one A4 sized sheet including information about your topic, method, theoretical approach and state how this PhD course will be relevant for your research project.
• In some courses, and if seats are available, applicants with a completed master's degree (120 ECTS) equivalent to the PhD program's professional profile, may be considered for application. A grade above average on the master's thesis or master's degree is required. A certificate of the master's degree must be enclosed, as well as a summary, one page, with information about own research interest.
• To apply for admission please use the Søknadsweb, and where all the required certificates must be submitted.

Maximum number of participants is 15.

Liv Mette Gulbrandsen