Global Perspectives on Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice

Education

The first year of the programme introduces the three core disciplines that form its foundation: Gender Studies, Human Rights, and Global Studies. During the autumn semester of year 1, you will develop an understanding of how these fields intersect, while also being introduced to feminist movements and perspectives from different parts of the world. This semester also introduces key theories and methodologies in Gender Studies, which serve as a basis for your continued academic development. In addition, emphasis is placed on practical skills such as reading comprehension, critical approaches to norms, source criticism, and information literacy. In the spring semester of year 1, studies shift to a legal perspective as a means of contextualizing and understanding gender. You will also be introduced to two core methodological approaches—textual analysis and interview techniques. During the first year of studies, we place particular focus on strengthening your academic reading and writing skills.

In the second year, perspectives from Gender Studies, Law, and Global Studies are integrated through two thematic areas. The autumn semester of year 2, explores the theme *Body, Culture, and Health*, with courses that analyse and discuss culture, gender, sexuality, health, and reproductive rights. This semester also introduces two new methodological tools: visual analysis and surveys. The spring semester centres on the theme *Family, Work, and Violence*, with courses examining family policies, violence, power relations, and working life. You will also take a course in project management, leadership, and practical gender equality work, including gender mainstreaming. The second year emphasises the development of your leadership and oral communication skills.

The third and final year of the program introduces its last thematic focus: *Climate, Environment, Technology, and Justice*. During the autumn semester of year 3, you will take courses in climate studies and technology with particular emphasis on natural resources and ownership. In addition, you will engage with specialised courses in gender, justice, and activism, alongside a final methodology course designed to prepare you for your bachelor’s thesis. The concluding spring semester culminates in the writing of an independent research project, where you will deepen your theoretical and methodological expertise. This semester also includes an internship, which may be undertaken locally, regionally, abroad, in your country of residence or within an international organization. The university is responsible for allocating a placement opportunity. Alternatively, you may choose to apply for a Minor Field Study scholarship, allowing you to carry out part of your thesis research abroad.

Form of Instruction

The program is designed to encourage you to take an active role in your learning process, with an emphasis on both academic and practical skills. This is achieved through a variety of student-centred teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, group projects, independent assignments, as well as project-based and problem-based learning. As an international programme, all instruction is delivered entirely in English. While written examinations may be completed in either English or Swedish, all oral presentations, discussions, and examinations are conducted in English. You can expect scheduled activities three to five days per week. In addition to these, independent study is essential, with the overall workload corresponding to a full-time commitment of approximately 40 hours per week. All lectures are held on campus at Karlstad University.

Examination

Examination takes the form of written exams, individual submissions and seminar assignments, project work, and oral presentations, both individually and in groups.

Professional Contact

During the program, students are offered various opportunities to connect with professional life, for example through networks, mentoring programs, fairs, guest lectures, internships, as well as through thesis and project work.

Semester 1	ECTS credits
Introduction to global gender studies (Obligatory)	7.5
Global feminisms (Obligatory)	7.5
Gender studies theory and method (Obligatory)	15

Semester 2	ECTS credits
Feminist Jurisprudence (Obligatory)	7.5
Intersectionality in a globalised world (Obligatory)	7.5
Human rights (Obligatory)	7.5
Research methods I (Obligatory)	7.5

Semester 3	ECTS credits
Culture, gender and sexuality (Obligatory)	7.5
Rethinking gender beyond a binary (Obligatory)	7.5
Health and reproductive rights (Obligatory)	7.5
Research methods II (Obligatory)	7.5

Semester 4	ECTS credits
Family policy (Obligatory)	10
Violence and power (Obligatory)	7.5
Work, work life and organisational change (Obligatory)	7.5
Leadership in theory and practice (Obligatory)	5

Semester 5	ECTS credits
Feminism and the environment (Obligatory)	7.5
Resources, ownership and sustainability (Obligatory)	7.5
Gender and technology (Obligatory)	5
Gender, justice and activism (Obligatory)	5
Research methods III (Obligatory)	5

Semester 6	ECTS credits
Internship (Obligatory)	15
Independent Project (Obligatory)	15

Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.

Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.