In this course student develop a solid understanding of feminist and critical approaches to IR by learning how they can use the theories to understand, critique and question post-cold war international politics and contemporary developments. The selection of readings is conceptual, analytical and empirical, and to be supplemented by student¿s independent search for sources on contemporary global politics. Through this course, we will strive to achieve that students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge and competence:

• The student can give an overview of key international political issues in the post-cold war era and how these are assessed in critical IR theories
• The student can explain the development of the women, peace and security agenda in international politics and discuss critical assessments of this development
• The student can explain key aspects in the core IR literature on feminist and critical approaches and apply these perspectives in scholarly discussions with peers as well as in writing assignments
• The student has training in communicating in writing and orally, to peers, the complexities of global politics, challenges to sovereignty, security, etc.
• The student can reflect critically on new thinking and ways of approaching global political change and solution to global challenges

Writing skills and oral presentations:

• The student has in written assignments applied feminist and critical IR theory and discussed their contribution to understanding global political developments in the post-cold war era
• The student has attended team work and conducted a presentation of contemporary global political developments using IR theory and reflected on relevance for developments of global political community in the years ahead
• The student can use peer-to-peer methods to give feedback on the written assignments and oral presentations of other students and to improve own work 

Organisational Form: The course is organised into three parts that build upon each other. During the first part (three weeks), there is a combination of one weekly lecture (2x45min) and one seminar (2x45min). This provides overview of main concepts, theories and key changes in international politics in the post-cold war era. The fourth week is a project week (part two). The project week is completed with an oral presentation day (week after submission of paper to be completed during project week). In the following six weeks, there are two weekly meetings (2x2x45min). Before coming to these meetings students use the course literature to prepare for discussion on assigned topics (provided in course outline at the beginning of the semester). Preparation is key to focused and interesting discussion from which we all will benefit. At the end of this course, a summary lecture with discussion is organised. 

In sum, the learning activities in this course include lectures, seminar, oral presentation, self-study and active participation.

The exam is divided into two parts: Exam, part I (40%): Week four of this course is a project week with teamwork. Groups of 2-3 students define a topic and apply feminist and critical perspectives in the analysis. At the end of the week, the group submits a paper, of 6000 words. The group also prepares an oral presentation, using suitable images and technology. A project-presentation day is organised the week after. All groups present topic and result of analysis, as well as provide feedback to fellow students. Feedback is also provided orally from course convener. Paper is graded at the end of course (together with exam, part II).

Exam, part II (60%): Individual termpaper of 6000 words. Further details regarding topic are announced during course. 

300 hours.

In sum, the learning activities in this course include lectures, seminar, oral presentation, self-study and active participation.