This module engages with feminist theories to shed light on key pillars of global politics. Acknowledging that neither feminisms (note the plural) nor theories are monolithic, the readings and discussions will explore different perspectives within feminist movements across place and time. The approach invites students to consider the experiences of people of all genders, using a critical and intersectional framework to analyze the workings of power and meanings of politics. The module transcends a focus on individual identity to examine how a feminist lens sheds light on relationships, institutions, spaces, environments, and ideas. Equally, the emphasis on ‘theories’ does not imply a separation from ‘practice’ or ‘action’; rather, this module examines how theories spring from action and inform action, thus requiring us to question the theory-practice binary in favor of more fluid modes of thinking about knowledge and power.
This module does not focus exclusively on the body of work termed ‘feminist IR theory’ or on the themes of gender and violence. These are important areas of scholarship and it is my hope that students will explore them in their studies. However, it is equally my hope that a key takeaway of this module is that a feminist study of global politics does not imply an exclusive preoccupation with violence and its actors, manifestations, and effects. Feminist theories and the people who produce them also invite us to contemplate bodies that thrive, relations of care, and moments of joy. Drawing from interdisciplinary texts, the reading list and assessments reflect this tone.