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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
The Politics of Gender |
| Unit code |
POLI31351 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Guerrina |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit examines the contemporary literature on women and politics, with a particular focus on women's participation and representation in British politics. It explores the gender gap in voting patterns and mass political participation; the under-representation of women in national legislatures and strategies for increasing women's descriptive representation. It also considers why the number of women in parliaments might matter and what difference women representatives might make to the policy process.
Aims:
- To convey key contemporary research in relation to women’s elite and mass political participation
- To compare and contrast explanations for women’s descriptive representation
- To evaluate various strategies for increasing women’s descriptive representation
- To critically consider the extant empirical and theoretical literature on the relationship between women’s descriptive and substantive representation
- To critically consider the extant literature on the media and women and politics
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of debates about the nature of women’s political participation and representation
- A detailed knowledge of the various explanations for women’s under-representation and proposals to increase levels of women’s descriptive representation
- An ability to apply theoretical and normative frameworks to evaluate the above debates as well as those associated with the substantive representation of women
- An ability to engage constructively in focused deliberation on theoretical issues
- An ability to give effective oral presentations to one’s peers
- An ability to write clearly and analytically, making use of the relevant material
- An ability to express, justify and defend orally and in writing a personal opinion about political issues
Teaching Information
The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities
Assessment Information
1,000 word essay (25%)
2,500 word essay (75%)
Both assessments test all learning outcomes
Reading and References
- Childs, S. (2008) Women and British Party Politics (Routledge: London) www.routledgepaperbacksdirect.com
- Lovenduski, J. (2005) Feminizing Politics (Polity: Cambridge)
