Course objectives: The course allows the acquisition of theoretical, comparative analytical and research skills, and application of sociological and ethnological competencies necessary for the detection and the development of sex / gender dimensions of development of Croatian society and the wider social and global community of South-East Europe. Students are referred in critical analysis, theoretical and empirical work relevant to the area of gender relations and roles, and contributes to an increased understanding, analyzing and researching gender relations between women and men in broader community of semi-periphery Europe. Students will contribute to building their own knowledge of gender identity in order to be professionally trained for better understanding of gender relations within the socio-cultural patterns of the society. The course provides the competence to work within the different types of institutions – from gender-sensitive educational institutions, social development institutions, to NGOs.

Enrolment requirements and/or entry competences required for the course: No requirements

Learning outcomes at the level of the programme to which the course contributes:   

(1) Critically assess and apply theoretical approaches to the analysis of phenomena and processes in Southeast Europe

(2) Explain features of cultural systems in the context of Southeast Europe

(3) Recognize and explain the ways in which local, national, and transnational processes influence social structures in Southeast Europe

Expected learning outcomes at the level of the course:

(1) Theoretical perception and recognition of gender problems in society;

(2) Understanding of researching problems of gender relations;

(3) Researching competences and skills in gender relations and problems in society;

(4) Possibility of connecting other researching problems with gender relations;

(5) Inspection and detection of sexist aspects of society;

(6) The acquisition of theoretical comparative analytical, empirical research and knowledge in feminist sociological discourse;

(7) Application of scientific research insight and competences with regard to employment opportunities;

(8) Communication in family gender roles and environment;

(9) Resolving gender/sex problems within wider community and society on scientific way;

(10) Gender development of the South-East European society and community.

Course content (syllabus):   

(1) Identity, socialization and gender roles – Sex and Gender; Biology and Society; sex and gender differences, gender identity and roles; socialization and learning of gender roles; social use of gender roles; gender stratification; social status of women and men; cultural construction of gender identity

(2) Women in philosophical theories: ancient philosophy (Plato, Aristotle); Rousseau and women’s inferior status, the concept of ” contamination ” of society; Women in sociological theories: favourable sociological determinism (Spencer, Comte, Tönnies, Durkheim); structuralism, functionalism, gender roles and the theory of social conflict; psychoanalysis (Freud); social constructionism;

(3) Feminist approaches and criticism: „sufragge movement“, neofeminism (liberal, radical, socialist, eco-feminism); postmodern feminisms;

(4) Personal relationships, marriage and transformation – Marriage and cohabitation; gender and age differences and marriage; crisis of the patriarchal family; divorces; changes to the model family; post-matherial values and marriage;

(5) Social stratification, labour market and sexism – Discrimination at work and the labor market; sexual harassment and blackmail; gender gap salary; family and work roles; glass stop; feminization of poverty; motherhood and work at home; sexism in Croatian society and in the South-East Europe;

(6) Feminism and Media – visual perception and attitudes; media view of women; pornography etc. in South-East Europe;

(7) Women and reproductive rights, sexuality, NRT (new reproductive technologies); problems of pregnancy, birth and abortion in South-East Europe;

(8) Violence against women – violence inside and outside the family; sexual victimization of women; trafficking in women; prostitution; porn-industry in South-East Europe; valorisation of women and globalization

(9) Women in the third world; women in developing countries; women in global perspective

Format of instruction: lectures, seminars and workshops, partial e-learning, work with mentor                       

Student responsibilities:      

Monitoring student work: class attendance, research, seminar paper, project, written exam

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