course-details-portlet

KULT2208 - Gender and Norwegian Culture: Questions of Equality 2

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Home examination
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Home examination 100/100 1 weeks A

Course content

Norway is considered a model of gender equality. Norway tops international gender equality rankings, particularly when it comes to working life, work-family balance, and education, and when it comes to womens’ institutional, societal and political participation. The Norwegian welfare State is often framed as a key enabler of gender equality. Equality in general - including, but not limited to, gender equality - has historically been and still is a central societal and political value in Norway, and both images and expectations relating to equality shape the framework of many everyday negotiations. This course scratches below the surface of Norway's image (and self-image) as highly gender-equal and asks how such an image is produced in society, and the extent to which this image has been challenged and is changing. Taking Norwegian recent history and contemporary society as its focus, we will explore:

  • The meaning of gender "equality": "sameness feminism", "difference feminism" and the different understandings of "equality" that underpin the intellectual and political traditions that have influenced culture, society and policy-making in Norway
  • The meaning of societal "equality" beyond gender, "intersectionality theory" and the complex interplay between gender and other intersecting identities (such as class, ability and migrant status)
  • Some arenas in which different understandings of gender "equality" play out in Norway, such as working life, family life, reproduction and migration. Throughout this course, we will investigate this passion for equality associated with Norwegian culture and politics, but also the challenges which these egalitarian ideals bring to play.

The course is open to both international exchange students and Norwegian students. The lectures are in English. KULT2207 and KULT2208 are the same course, but with a different number of lectures and a different form of assessment.

Learning outcome

The students will gain concrete knowledge and general understanding of how the cultural significance of gender in Norway is produced in relation to understandings and practices of equality, and the power structures and dynamics that subtend them. Candidates who have completed this course, will have knowledge of:

  • the different understandings of gender "equality" in different intellectual and political traditions
  • the concept of equality in its historical and contemporary Norwegian context
  • the meanings of gender that underpin gender equality in institutional and everyday contexts
  • gendered perspectives on the themes of working life, family, reproduction, sexuality, and education in Norway. .

Candidates who have completed this course, have the skills to:

  • identify social, cultural and political constructions of gender equality
  • identify paradoxical aspects of the Norwegian equality policies and practices
  • perform a close reading of a cultural text from a gender-studies theoretical perspective.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching is in the form of lectures, discussions, and group work. The compulsory written and oral assignments must be approved before the exam. The final exam is a home exam with letter grades. Both the compulsory written and oral assignments and the final exam can be delivered in English or in any Nordic language.

Compulsory assignments

  • Oral presentation
  • Written assignment

Further on evaluation

Home exam. Letter grades. This can be submitted in English or Norwegian.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Will be given at the start of the course.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
KULT2207 7.5 AUTUMN 2011
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  15.0 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Gender Research
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • Applied Linguistics
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Home examination

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Home examination 100/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Home examination 100/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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