Gender theory and social issues

The course aims to provide students with critical theoretical and methodological competencies to analyse social issues using a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach.

It pursues two primary objectives:
(1) to equip students with the conceptual tools needed to understand and critically analyse gendered social phenomena in both historical and contemporary contexts;
(2) to introduce students to feminist and intersectional research methods, and support them in designing and conducting a small-scale empirical study.

Throughout the course, students will learn to define research objectives, formulate relevant questions, and develop appropriate methodological tools for qualitative, gender-sensitive sociological research. They will also engage in textual analysis, group discussions, classroom presentations, and academic writing.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of foundational and contemporary gender theories.
- Identify and apply gender and intersectional approaches to theoretical and empirical problems.
- Design a qualitative research project, from research questions to methodological planning.
- Collect and analyse qualitative data (e.g. interviews, policy documents).
- Engage in scholarly discussions and critically assess academic literature.
- Communicate and critically reflect on research findings, both orally and in writing, addressing specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Cultivate independent learning skills for continuing engagement with gender-related research and debates.