EDS381 Feminist and Critical IR Theory

This course deepens students insight into theoretical perspectives that gained prominence in the study of international relations as the Cold War ended. It explores critical and feminist approaches that sparked conceptual and methodological debates, leading to a more pluralistic international relations theory landscape. Students will explore concepts, methodologies and themes shaped by critical and feminist interventions in international relations, including gender-based violence; war and gender dynamics; women's role in security at the United Nations; feminist foreign policy; militarism; migration, and more.

A central theme throughout these discussions is the examination of inequalities in power relations, the influence of social structures, and how these impact on people's everyday lives. Critical and feminist theories address people in international relations and the power relations that produce subordination, prompting reflection on fostering empowerment and instigating change. The course aims to comprehend critical and feminist theories in relation to the shifts and continuities within international relations during this transformative period.

Through this course, we will strive to achieve that students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge and competence:

• Students can give an overview of the contribution of critical and feminist theories to shaping the pluralist theory landscape in international relations when the Cold War ended.
• Students can explain the development of the Women, Peace and Security-agenda at the UN and discuss critical assessments of this development.
• Student can explain key aspects in the core IR literature on feminist and critical approaches and apply these perspectives in scholarly discussions with peers as well as in writing assignments.
• Student are trained in communicating to peers about international relations from a people-centred perspective and linking micro- and macro-developments.

Writing skills, oral presentations and researching techniques:

• Students conducted assignments in which they presented and discussed feminist and critical International Relations theory and discussed their contribution to understanding and explaining international relations in the post-Cold War period.
• Students attended team work and prepared a presentation, discussing contemporary developments in international relations using relevant theory.
• Students can use peer-to-peer methods to give feedback on the written assignments and oral presentations of other students and gain experience on how to use this to improve their own work
• Students have conducted independent search for literature and other sources and learned how to assess sources and use them in independent analysis.