This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the nexus between gender, conflict, and the pursuit of peace from a feminist perspective. Throughout the semester, we will delve into various aspects of this dynamic, examining the role of gender in conflict, peacebuilding, and transitional justice. By critically engaging with academic literature and real-world case studies, students will gain a deep understanding of the issues surrounding gender, security, and peace.

We will begin by exploring feminist approaches to security studies and the impact of gender on foreign policy. Next, we will transition to a discussion of the causes and consequences of conflict-related sexual violence. Following this session, we will investigate the roles of women in violent conflicts, rebellions, and mass atrocities. We will explore the motivations behind women's engagement in political violence and examine the portrayal of women in mainstream narratives. We will address the challenges and opportunities for gender equality within peacekeeping missions.

In the second half of the semester, we will examine shifts in gender roles and power dynamics during and after conflict. Students will analyze how these shifts influence the opportunities and challenges faced by women in post-conflict societies. Following that, we will critically assess post-conflict interventions and their impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality. Finally, we will focus on the debates surrounding retributive vs. restorative justice, transformative justice, and survivor-centered justice. We will conclude the semester by exploring the role of gender in conflict resolution, prevention, and peacebuilding.

Assessment

The course has four different types of assignments:

1. Participation (20%):  Please note that a notable portion of your final grade relies on your participation and attendance. Students are expected to actively participate during classes. Effective participation will require that you come to class prepared to discuss the reading material and to engage in an informed discussion. Both the quantity (not a snapshot but a general picture of your participation throughout the semester) and quality of your contributions will be taken into account. Class participation also requires attendance and timeliness. Make sure to arrive at class on time and do not use cell phones during lectures. I will be paying attention to your weekly attendance.

2. Group Presentation (15% for each presentation / 30%): Between the 2nd and the 9th session, a group of two to three students (depending on the number of enrolled students) will make a presentation in the second half of class, addressing the theme of that session. By the end of the semester, each student will have made two presentations. These presentations will last about 30-40 minutes, will have PowerPoints, and each group member will participate in the presentation. You can use the assigned and recommended readings in your presentations. You can also bring in external sources, practical examples, or a case study. We will have a 10 minute Q&A after each presentation. The presentations will be graded based on the quality of content, your command of the material, professionalism of the slides and the overall presentation, and your time management. There will be 7 groups in total (for 7 sessions). We will decide on the groups and dates during the first session.

3. Final Essay (40%): For your last assignment, you will write an essay on a topic that is among the subjects of this course and different from your topics of group presentations. For this assignment, you have two options: you can write your essay either in the form of a policy brief or a research paper. If you decide to write a policy brief, your essay needs to involve an executive summary, an introduction, an overview of the research or problem, an examination of the findings from existing research, and a concluding section which presents your policy recommendations. The briefs will be graded on the clarity of language, overall organization, citations, the depth of engagement with the existing research/findings, and the quality of policy recommendations. 

4. Final Essay Presentation (10%): In the last three sessions, students will present their final essay projects to the class. These presentations will have PowerPoints, and leave about 10 minutes at the end for questions and comments from the class. Final Essay presentations will be graded based on their organization, logical flow, and depth of theoretical and empirical discussion. Your policy recommendations and research findings may be tentative in presentations, but the design and organization of your project should be ready for presentation.