Women in Global Politics (POLS40015)

This subject will examine feminist contributions to the theorising of international politics. It will consider the ways in which feminist theorists have 'gendered' international relations theory. The subject engages with the work of theorists from different feminist positions. It will include feminist interventions in and critiques of international law and of postcolonial theory. Feminist theory on the following topics will be included: nationalism, cultural relativism, multiculturalism, fundamentalism, ecofeminism, third world feminisms, theorising the international sex industry, the usefulness of human rights approaches, women and armed conflict. On completion, students should have developed the ability to criticise international political theory for the ways in which the experience of women is dealt with. The more nuanced view of international politics that the subject aims to develop will be useful to students working in the international arena.