Programme Syllabus – Global Perspectives on Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice
Reg. no. HS 2025/672
Programme Code: SGGGJ
Programme Title: Globala perspektiv på genus, mänskliga rättigheter och social rättvisa
English Title: Global Perspectives on Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice
Credits: 180 ECTS
Approved by: The Faculty Board of Arts and Social Sciences on 12 June 2025.
Effective from: The autumn semester 2026
Language of Instruction: English
Education Cycle: First (Bachelor’s level)
Degree Type: General
Entry Requirements: General eligibility plus either English 6, Civics 1b or 1a1+1a2 or English level 2, Civics level 1b or level 1a1+1a2
General Information
Global Perspectives on Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice (180 ECTS credits) is a three-year bachelor’s degree programme in Gender Studies. Thematically, the program is based on gender studies and feminist jurisprudence, with significant elements of human rights and elements of global studies. The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate an understanding of complex social issues from various perspectives, such as inequality, discrimination and human rights violations. The student will gain insight into how issues of gender, health, identity, work, violence and sustainability are approached in different countries and internationally, at various institutions such as supranational organisations or through legislation. The programme actively employs several UN sustainable development goals to improve the understanding of gender equality, equity and social justice.
The programme involves 90 ECTS credits in gender studies, which is the main field of study for the bachelor’s degree. The programme also includes courses in human rights (20 ECTS credits), global studies (15 ECTS credits), scientific theory and research methodology (35 ECTS credits), leadership and an internship (20 ECTS credits).
Graduates of the program can pursue a wide range of careers in government, municipal, or regional administration; county administrative boards; international organizations such as the EU and the UN; non-governmental organizations; international companies; politics; social work; education; law; journalism; and academia. Typical roles include project manager, project coordinator, change leader, strategist, planning strategist, case officer, business developer, investigator, development manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) specialist or manager, and sustainability manager. These positions often involve advocacy, policy analysis, social development, and research—core areas integrated into the program’s curriculum.
Programme Objectives
To receive the Degree of Bachelor students must meet the national requirements for such a degree as well as the programme-specific objectives set by the university.
National objectives
Knowledge and understanding
For a Bachelor’s degree the student shall
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the field’s scientific foundations, knowledge of applicable methods, in-depth knowledge in some part of the field, and familiarity with current research issues.
Competence and skills
For a Bachelor’s degree the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to seek, collect, evaluate and critically interpret relevant information in relation to a problem as well as to critically discuss the problem in different contexts,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify, formulate and solve problems and to complete tasks within a predetermined time frame,
- demonstrate the ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions both orally and in writing, in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrate the skills required to work independently within the main field of study.
Judgement and approach
For a Bachelor’s degree the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments with consideration of relevant scientific, societal, and ethical aspects within the main field of study,
- demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and undertake ongoing development of their skills.
Independent project (degree project)
As part of the degree requirements, students must complete an independent project (Bachelor’s thesis) worth at least 15 ECTS credits in the main field of study.
Program-Specific Objectives
In addition to the national outcomes, graduates of the program will
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of global perspectives on gender, human rights and social justice,
- understand how these perspectives intersect with institutions, actors, and processes in various political systems, including the supranational level, and why they are crucial for promoting equality and non-discrimination, and
- demonstrate insight into the conditions and challenges of developing and working with human rights and social justice from a global perspective.
Programme Structure
The program comprises six semesters of full-time study. Teaching is designed to encourage students to take an active role in their learning process and to develop both academic and practical skills. This is achieved through a variety of student-centred learning methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, independent assignments, as well as project- and problem-based learning. Assessment of students' progression is carried out through written examinations, seminar assignments, project work, and oral presentations—both individually and in groups. Opportunities to connect with work life are offered throughout the program via networks, mentorship programs, career fairs, guest lectures, an internship, project work and the degree thesis.
In the first year, students gain an overview of the program’s three subject areas—Gender Studies, Human Rights, and Global Studies—and are introduced to how these fields interact. The focus of the first semester is to provide students with a solid foundation in gender theory and methodology, serving as the basis for continued studies. Semester one also emphasises practical skills such as reading comprehension, norm-critical analysis, source criticism, and information retrieval. The second semester focuses on the legal perspective as a way to understand and contextualise gender and introduces students to two methods relevant to their further studies: text analysis and interview techniques. The practical focus in semester two is on academic reading and writing.
In the second year, students explore two of the program’s thematic areas: body and health, and family and violence. In these, as in other themes, gender, legal, and global perspectives are integrated. Semester three introduces two additional methods: visual cultures analysis and surveys. During the fourth semester, students take a course in project management, leadership, practical gender equality work, and gender mainstreaming, with a particular focus on different forms of oral presentations.
In the third year, semester five introduces climate studies and technology, with a special focus on natural resources and ownership. The final semester, semester six, culminates in advanced study of theory and methodology through the writing of a bachelor’s thesis. Semester six also includes an internship, which can be undertaken locally, regionally, in another country, or at an international organisation. The university is responsible for assigning students to an internship placement. Students may also apply for an MFS (Minor Field Study) scholarship to conduct part of their degree project abroad, which can further strengthen their position in the labour market.
Programme Curriculum
Note that the courses included in the program may have different titles and may be offered in a different order than listed below.
Semester 1: Introduction
- Introduction to Global Gender Studies, 7.5 credits
- Global Feminisms, 7.5 credits
- Theory and Method in Gender Studies, 15 credits
Semester 2: Legal Perspectives
- Feminist Jurisprudence, 7.5 credits
- Intersectionality in a Globalised World, 7.5 credits
- Research Methods I, 7.5 credits
- Human Rights, 7.5 credits
Semester 3: Body, Culture and Health
- Culture, Gender and Sexuality, 7.5 credits
- Rethinking Gender Beyond a Binary, 7.5 credits
- Health and Reproductive Rights, 7.5 credits
- Research Methods II, 7.5 credits
Semester 4: Family, Work and Violence
- Family Policy, 10 credits
- Violence and Power, 7.5 credits
- Work, Working Life and Organisational Change, 7.5 credits
- Leadership in Theory and Practice, 5 credits
Semester 5: Climate, Environment, Technology and Justice
- Feminism and the Environment, 7.5 credits
- Resources, Ownership and Sustainability, 7.5 credits
- Gender and Technology, 5 credits
- Gender, Justice and Activism, 5 credits
- Research Methods III, 5 credits
Semester 6: Independent Project and Practical Placement
- Internship, 15 credits
- Independent Project (Bachelor’s Thesis), 15 credits
Degree Title
Degree of Bachelor of Social Science
Main field of study: Gender Studies
Credit Transfer
According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 6, Sect. 6–8, students have the right to transfer credits and have prior learning recognised upon approval.
Additional Information
The local regulations for first and second cycle education at Karlstad University stipulate the obligations and rights of students and staff.