PO3GAP-Gender and Politics

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Miss Ruta Skriptaite
Email: r.skriptaite@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Why do women remain under-represented in politics? Are voters sexist? And do women make for better political leaders? These are examples of the types of questions that we will consider in this module. Over the course of ten two-hour seminars we will explore how gender shapes politics. Throughout this we will also consider how gender intersects with other identities of race, ethnicity and sexuality. In the module we will look at many real-world examples and students are encouraged to bring their own examples for discussion. The module also exposes students to a variety of different research methods that are used in the field of gender and politics. The course is taught through ten two-hour seminars which require active participation and preparatory work from students. 

Aims:

By the end of the module students will:

• understand how gender shapes political behaviour, political institutions, and political processes 


• have an understanding of key concepts and theories related to the role of gender in politics


• have developed knowledge of key findings in the study of gender and politics


• be familiar with the various methods through which to study gender and politics


• developed critical skills allowing them to evaluate theories and empirical findings 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students are expected to:

• critically evaluate various theories on gender and political representation and participation


• be able to assess empirical evidence that either supports or disproves theories or claims about the role of gender, femininity and masculinity in politics


• develop and clearly articulate their own written and oral arguments


• be able to identify important research questions in the field of gender and politics


• apply theories from the literature on gender and politics to their own case study of choice

Additional outcomes:

The module will further allow students to develop the following skills:

• Academic writing


• Processing and synthesizing information


• Interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data  


• Oral presentation skills (through class presentation and participation)


• Independent research skills 

Outline content:

An indication of topics that will be discussed (note these are examples and exact content may vary):

• Women’s (under)-representation in politics


• Gender and voter attitudes: stereotypes and sexism


• The role of masculinity and femininity in politics


• Male and female politicians in the media


• Gender and political campaigns


• Gender and political leadership

Global context:

The course will focus mostly on the British and U.S. context, but comparisons will be made with other Anglo-Saxon and Western European democracies (for example Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Northern and Western Europe).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will be conducted through ten weekly two-hour seminars. Students are asked to conduct preparatory readings and will sometimes be asked to conduct short assignments prior to the seminar. The seminars will requires students to participate actively in various types of exercises such as class presentations, reading exercises, review of articles, analysis of case studies, group work and class discussion. In reading week of Spring term there will be a two-hour tutorial session in which stu dents present their ideas for their case study and receive feedback from the instructor and fellow classmates. In early summer term there will be two drop-in sessions (2x 2 hours) to provide individual feedback on the independent case study. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
Tutorials		2
Project Supervision			4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		50
Peer assisted learning		4
Preparation for tutorials		10
Preparation for seminars		50
Carry-out research project		60
Total hours by term	0	196	4
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assignment 1: Essay. The first assignment is an essay that asks the students to engage with one of the key theories or strands of literature from the course through answering one of the set questions.

Essay length is 2,000 words (+/- 10%). The essay counts for 35% of the final mark. Deadline for the essay: end of spring term

Assignment 2: Case study project. In the second assignment students are asked to apply a theory or hypothesis that we discussed during the course to a case study of their choice. Students must conduct some novel, independent research for this assignment. Examples may be (but are not limited to) a gender-based analysis of a particular political debate, political speech, or the tweets of a politician. Other examples could be a gender-based analysis of cabinet appointees or of a certain piece of legislation. Students are encouraged to follow their own interests. A two-hour tutorial session will be held during spring term during which students present their ideas and receive feedback from fellow students and the course convenor. In early summer term the module convenor will offer drop-in sessions for students to discuss any issues. Length: 3,500 words. Assignment deadline: early summer term. The assignment counts for 65% of the student’s mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Students are asked to participate in seminar activities, this may involve giving short presentations to the rest of class. These seminar activities are not assessed but students will receive oral feedback.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted within the stipulated resubmission period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: £9.99

Gillard, Julia and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. 2021. Women and Leadership: Lessons from some of the World’s Most Powerful Women.  

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 2 January 2024