IR3079 Feminist Theories in Global Politics

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesday 1pm - 2pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr K C M Hunfeld

Dr K C M Hunfeld
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Katharina Hunfeld

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module engages with feminist theories to shed light on key pillars of global politics. Acknowledging that neither feminisms nor theories are monolithic, the readings and discussions will explore different perspectives within feminist movements across place and time. The approach invites students to consider the experiences of people of all genders, using a critical and intersectional framework to analyze the workings of power and meanings of politics. The module transcends a focus on individual identity to examine how a feminist lens sheds light on relationships, institutions, spaces, environments, and ideas. Equally, the emphasis on 'theories' does not imply a separation from 'practice' or 'action'; rather, this module examines how theories both spring from action and inform action, thus requiring us to question the theory-practice binary in favor of more fluid modes of thinking about knowledge and power.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 lecture (X11 weeks), 1 tutorial (X10 weeks), 1 writing workshop (X1 week - online)

Scheduled learning hours

63

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

248

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Explore the varied meanings of feminism, and identify the synergies and tensions among different conceptualizations
  • Build a vocabulary of key terms—including, but not limited to, intersectionality, patriarchy, heteronormativity, essentialism, and decolonization—and critically identify the uses and misuses of these concepts in discourses about feminism and politics
  • Locate not only the problems or oppressions to which different feminisms seek to respond, but also the sites of creative resistance and solidarities that emerge through feminist action
  • Examine how contemporary social movements embody, enact, and challenge various tenets of feminist theories
  • Practice feminist reflexivity through creative practices of responding to readings and discussions