Gender, Social Change and Modernity in Sweden/Scandinavia

This course gives you a clear introduction to how gender roles and ideas about sexuality changed in Sweden and Scandinavia during a key period of social transformation, from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.  

You will learn about women's struggle for rights, how working life and family life changed, and how the transition from an agricultural society to an industrial society affected people's everyday lives.

The course links feminist movements to broader social changes and compares developments in Scandinavia with international perspectives.

You will study topics such as:

• basic concepts for historical gender analysis and historical forms of  of masculinities
• women’s right, modernity and morality
• modern women and cultural transitions between the World War I and II
• queer and trans histories of sexuality and gender
• gender and racism in the inter-war period.

The course is suitable for those who are curious about gender issues, social development and Scandinavian history. You will have a unique opportunity to learn about the history of gender equality in the Scandinavian context and discuss these issues with students from different parts of the world and with different disciplinary backgrounds.

This is a part-time course worth 7.5 credits. It is taught in English and runs regularly during the first half of the term.

Study environment

The Division of Gender Studies at the Department of Sociology is located in the beautiful Campus Paradis  in central Lund. Our newly renovated building, Gamla lungkliniken, has lecture halls, group rooms and study areas. The Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB) are also located in the vicinity.

As a student, you are welcome to participate in the division's open seminars and other events.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

The course is taught in English and includes lectures, group work sessions, seminars and a film screening as well as workshops with our librarian and with the language consultant. You will take part in conversations about key texts and ideas and give an oral presentation. These interactive sessions interconnect and offer different ways to engage with the issues and the course literature.

This course is a great choice if you are interested in gender studies, history, sociology or Scandinavian studies. It is especially useful if you want to understand the roots of today’s gender policies and social systems in Sweden and the Scandinavian countries. It can also be a stepping stone to further studies or careers in education, social work, policy, or international development.

Prerequisites

General eligibility, 60 ECTS credits, and English course 6/B

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 20 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 10 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 70 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 15,625
First payment: SEK 15,625

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.