Presentation

Women - and gender-related issues have become highly salient on the international stage since a few years. The development of gender mainstreaming strategies in each and every international organizations, ranging from the European Union to the World Bank, and the creation of UN Women in 2010 testify to it. Gender equality shows an unprecedented level of diffusion within national politics. Taken together, these examples suggest that gender issues have become institutionalized in international organizations and that these may well have a significant impact on nation states’ policies. Still, these developments cannot be taken for granted and many questions remain unanswered. This seminar deals with the analysis of the internationalization of gender-related issues, their institutionalization in the global governance structures and processes, and the limits thereof. For instance, what is the real impact of these gender-sensitive policies? How can we account for a successful and legitimate gender mainstreamed approach? What are the consequences of these policies?

Recommended Prerequisite(s)

A prior knowledge of International Relations and of Gender Studies is welcome.

Form of assessment

The number of ECTS credits and the assessment methods are likely to be different for students in credit exchange programmes.

Bibliography

• Blanchard E.M., Gender, International Relations, and the Development of Feminist Security Theory, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, vol. 28, no. 4, 2003.
• Butler M., Mader K., Kean R., Women, Peace and Security Handbook. Compilation and Analysis of United Nations Security Council Resolution Language (2000-2010), Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, New York, October 2010.
• Goetz A.M., Getting institutions right for women in development, Zed Books, 1997.
• Mazur A., Goertz G. (eds), Politics, Gender, and Concepts : Theory and Methodology, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
• Tickner A., Gender in International Relations ; Feminist Perspectives on Achieving Global Security, New York, Columbia University Press, 1992.

Educational formula

Attending the class requires the student to have thoroughly read the compulsory texts in preparation. Students are encouraged to participate and get involved in the discussion.