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, groups-  and class discussions. 

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 are candidates from the PhD programme in Social Work and Social Policy, but it will also be open to PhD students on other programs who wish to study the field in depht.

Internal candidates register the course in their Studentweb and send a summary, maximum one page, of their project to the PhD administration.

External candidates apply through the Søknadsweb. The following documentation must be enclosed:

1. Confirmation on admission to a PhD program

2. Summary of your research proposal (approx.one page) and how this PhD course will be relevant for your research project

Maximum number of participants is 15.