Gender and Norwegian Culture: Questions of Equality 1

Norway is considered a model of gender equality. Norway tops international gender equality rankings, particularly when it comes to working life, work-family balance, and education, and when it comes to womens’ institutional, societal and political participation. The Norwegian welfare State is often framed as a key enabler of gender equality. Equality in general - including, but not limited to, gender equality - has historically been and still is a central societal and political value in Norway, and both images and expectations relating to equality shape the framework of many everyday negotiations. This course scratches below the surface of Norway's image (and self-image) as highly gender-equal and asks how such an image is produced in society, and the extent to which this image has been challenged and is changing. Taking Norwegian recent history and contemporary society as its focus, we will explore:

• The meaning of gender "equality": "sameness feminism", "difference feminism" and the different understandings of "equality" that underpin the intellectual and political traditions that have influenced culture, society and policy-making in Norway
• The meaning of societal "equality" beyond gender, "intersectionality theory" and the complex interplay between gender and other intersecting identities (such as class, ability and migrant status)
• Some arenas in which different understandings of gender "equality" play out in Norway, such as working life, family life, reproduction and migration. Throughout this course, we will investigate this passion for equality associated with Norwegian culture and politics, but also the challenges which these egalitarian ideals bring to play.

The course is open to both international exchange students and Norwegian students. The lectures are in English. KULT2207 and KULT2208 are the same course, but differs in number of lectures and type of assessment.

Learning outcome

The students will gain concrete knowledge and general understanding of how the cultural significance of gender in Norway is produced in relation to understandings and practices of equality, and the power structures and dynamics that subtend them. Candidates who have completed this course, will have knowledge of:

• the different understandings of gender "equality" in different intellectual and political traditions
• the concept of equality in its historical and contemporary Norwegian context
• the meanings of gender that underpin gender equality in institutional and everyday contexts
• gendered perspectives on the themes of working life, family, reproduction, sexuality, and education in Norway. .

Candidates who have completed this course, have the skills to:

• identify social, cultural and political constructions of gender equality
• identify paradoxical aspects of the Norwegian equality policies and practices
• perform a close reading of a cultural text from a gender-studies theoretical perspective.

Teaching is in the form of lectures, discussions, and group work. The compulsory written assignment must be approved prior to the exam. The final exam is a home exam with letter grades. Both the compulsory written assignment and the final exam can be submitted in English or in any Nordic language.

Compulsory coursework: Written assignment.