LFU:online

The students gain insight into the fundamentals of critical gender studies (including women’s studies and critical masculinity studies); they learn to discuss the various theoretical approaches of gender studies (in the sciences in general and especially in their own discipline); and they learn to identify the perspective of the feminist critique of science. With respect to academia, they become aware of the formal historical exclusion of women and their informal exclusion (e.g. via androcentrism) in culture and social structures. Students learn to discuss science and the scientific community as a social system that reflects power relationships in society. They gain knowledge about the essential importance of an interdisciplinary approach to gender studies and they learn to link the category gender to other social categories as well as to describe academia and the university as a social enterprise, interpreting its social and thus gender specific (gender hierarchical) dimensions. Last but not least they learn to distinguish the basic principles and instruments of equal opportunity (i.e., gender mainstreaming, gender-sensitive communication skills / didactics, a gender-fair use of language) and critically assess concrete measures taken in this respect.

This course addresses two distinct fields that underline the interconnections between gender and the sciences: (1) The field of science, including theoretical aspects. The various approaches of critical women’s and gender studies are described historically (essentially: origins, problematic issues, the close connection between theory and practical experience, special features and asynchronies within the various disciplines – especially between natural science and social science – and thus Inter- and transdisciplinarity, the intersection of gender and other social categories); the participating students’ own current disciplines are considered in this respect as well. (2) The field of practice (praxis) in academia, showing the legal frameworks and gender related soft skills. Students are introduced to equal opportunity policies and their legal background and historical evolution. They will learn about the origins and the applicability of the Equal Treatment Acts in Austria and how they are embodied within the European Community. Students will also learn about measures aimed at equal opportunities and some affirmative action programs (e.g. at a university level). In addition, soft skills, such as the use of gender sensitive language, are introduced and applied.

After a broad overview of the subject matter introduced by the course instructor (and by the assigned readings), which will include large and small group discussions, seminar students will present team papers (text analyses), to be followed by class discussion.

Regular and active attendance, oral presentation and a short written assignment