LFU:online

The students have an insight into the fundamentals of critical gender studies (including women’s studies and critical masculinity studies), they are able to argue the various theoretical approaches of gender studies (in sciences in general and especially in their own discipline), they can identify the perspective of the feminist critique of sciences. With respect to academia, they are aware of the formal exclusion of women in history and the informal through androcentrism in culture and social structures. Students can discuss sciences resp. the scientific community as a social system reflecting the power relationship within society. They know about the essential importance of an interdisciplinary approach for gender studies and they can link the category gender to other social structures. They are able to describe academia and the university as a social enterprise and interpret their social and thus gender specific (gender hierarchical) dimensions. They can discriminate the basic principles and instruments of equal opportunities (ie gender mainstreaming, gendersensitive communication skills / didactics, a gender fair use of language) and critically assess concrete measures taken in this resprect.

This course intends to open up two distinct fields which show obviously the interconnections of gender and sciences: (1) The field of sciences and their theories themselves: The various approaches of the critical women’s and gender studies are described in their respective origins in history (their essential issues: questions and problems, the close connection between theory and practical experience, special features and asynchronies within the various disciplines, inter- and transdisciplinarity, the intersection between gender and other social categories), the participating students’ own disciplines are considered in this respect. (2) The other part is more related to practice in academia, showing the legal frameworks and gender related soft skills. Students tackle with measures for equal opportunities and their legal background and evolution in history. They will know about the origins and the applicability of the Equal Treatment Acts in Austria and how they are embodied within the European Community. Students will learn about the measures aiming at equal opportunities and some affirmative action programs for women at university level and academia. In addition soft skills such as gender sensitive use of language are dealt with.

The first sessions are devoted to an introduction and broad overview of the subject (including large and small group discussions, readings) by the course instructor. Thereafter, seminar students will largely themselves present papers, to be followed by discussion.

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

Will be indicated in the first session