IDE2100 – The history of the ideas of sex and gender

Course content

The course will focus on notions and conceptions of gender in intellectual history and culture from antiquity to modern times. Historically gender has been expressed in a broad range of texts, cultural norms and social practice. The course will discuss continuity and change in Western understandings of gender from the perspective of a history of ideas about body and sexuality.

Learning outcome

Having completed this course, you will have acquired:

• the ability to assess and impart the main features of historical understandings of gender
• the ability to read and interpret complex texts and to situate them in different historical and intellectual contexts
• in depth knowledge of a particular topic in order to understand the scholars who have been concerned with the topic and how they differ from one another.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

We strongly recommend that you have completed IDE1104 – Vestens idéer fra antikken til 1600 and IDE1105 – Vestens idéer fra 1600 til vår egen tid (or equivalent).

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with KULT2100 – Kjønn og kultur (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with KULT2100N – Kjønn og kultur (EVU-emne med kursavgift) (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with IDE4100 – Kjønnskategorienes idéhistorie.

Teaching

A combination of lectures and seminars will be taught throughout the semester (20 hours in all)

Students are expected to prepare well for the seminars and to participate actively in the seminar discussions. Teaching activity will also take place in Canvas.

In order for you to qualify for the final exam, the following compulsory assignments must be approved by the teacher:

• draft of the term paper
• comments upon your fellow students` drafts

Examination

Term paper, of about 10 pages (of about 2300 characters each), reference list not included.

When you write a term paper, you are entitled to receive individual tutoring. The obligatory draft of the term paper forms the basis for this tutoring. An exact deadline for handing in the draft will be given by the teacher during the seminar.

In order for you to qualify for the final examination, the compulsory assignment must be approved by the teacher.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.