Epistemologies of gender studies research

Teacher(s)

Degavre Florence (coordinator); Lasserre Audrey; Lasserre Audrey (compensates Degavre Florence);

Language

French

Main themes

Gender plays a major role in structuring societies. It is also an innovative concept that grasps sexual differentiation and the reproduction of inequalities between men and women in an increasingly numerous and varied number of fields. The development of a genuine interdisciplinary approach around these questions has contributed to the emergence of an impressive range of theories and methods. However, the plurality of institutional contexts in which gender is mobilized as well as its privileged but complex relationship with the different branches of feminist theorization and practice make it sometimes difficult to use. If, in theory, any situation or phenomenon is likely to be the subject of a gender analysis, the choice and establishment of a method is certainly an issue in itself.
The aim of this course is to introduce students to research methods in gender studies. It teaches different ways of mobilizing the concept in order to produce a critical and emancipatory knowledge. It also examines the epistemological challenges of the research process in the context of gender studies. The aim is to equip students so that they can carry out their own reflections on a subject of their choice. The course also examines whether and how research methods involving gender lead to doing research in a "different" way.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Read thoroughly, understand and explain the content of articles and studies that mobilize the concept of gender;
2	Formulate a research question by mobilizing the concept of gender;
3	Choose a method for collecting the data needed to carry out your research and anticipate the risks associated with not considering gender;
4	Identify relevant literature (bibliography), select concepts and justify their relationship to gender theories;
5	Identify the challenges raised by the subject/methods chosen in relation to feminist epistemology and clarify your posture vis-à-vis these challenges;
6	Write an essay using scientific language in a gender-neutral style.

Content

The course focuses on the epistemological models involved in gender studies in the humanities and social sciences. It examines the methodology of knowledge production and introduces the technical aspects of collecting and analysing data or corpora. The aim is to provide students with the tools they need to engage in personal reflection in this area. The course aims to highlight the distinctive features of gender-based research methods, which are not apparent in research carried out in isolation from gender.
At the end of the course, you will be able to :
        formulate a research question using the concept of gender ;
        choose a method and identify the steps involved in collecting and/or analysing the data/corpus needed to carry out research in the field of gender studies;
        identify the challenges raised by the subject/methods chosen in terms of feminist epistemology and clarify your position in relation to them;

Teaching methods

The course is based on :
1.         Thematic presentations by the teacher and/or invited guests.
2.         Readings covering the various themes mentioned above. The teaching team will propose a selection of texts to be read and prepared before the sessions.
3.         Peer exchanges and feedback on a preliminary draft of the final work. Each student will be able to ask a question about the texts to be read. Attending the teacher's presentations, asking questions and contributing to peer exchanges are all part of the teaching method proposed.

Evaluation methods

The assessment consists of individual work (producing a dictionary entry) and group work, the aim of which is to produce a reflection on the approach to be followed in analysing an object (empirical fieldwork, archives, various cultural corpuses) using the genre. Students will set out the premises for the study of an object with a view to identifying the epistemological issues involved. The argument will indicate the research question and the different stages that will be dealt with. The work will be based on declared theoretical references (articles, author, concepts, theoretical current).
Successful completion of the various parts of the examination is essential to demonstrate the skills and knowledge defined in the learning outcomes for the teaching unit.  A failing grade (i.e. 0 for work not submitted, or a below-average grade for work submitted) in any part will result in a failing grade for the whole course. The grade awarded for the examination will be that of the failed section with the lowest grade.
In the second sitting, only the failed part(s) of the examination must be retaken. The arrangements for the second examination session are identical to those for the first session as far as individual work is concerned. Group work may be replaced by individual work of the same nature.

Online resources

A general bibliography, a portfolio of articles and reading guides will be made available on UCLine.

Bibliography

Bibliographie générale (d'autres textes seront progressivement disponibles sur moodle) :
Bereni L., Chauvin S., Jaunait A., Revillard A., 2020 [2008], Introduction aux Gender Studies. Manuel des études sur le genre, Bruxelles, De Boeck, “Ouvertures politiques”, (3e éd.).
Buikema A., Griffin G. Lykke N., 2011, Theories and Methodologies in postgraduate Feminist Research. Researching Differently, Routledge.
Fougeyrollas-Schwebel D., Planté C., Riot-Sarcey M. et Zaidman C., 2003, Le Genre comme catégorie d’analyse. Sociologie, histoire, littérature, Paris, L’Harmattan.
Hesse Biber S., Lena Leavy P., 2014, Feminist Reseach Practice: A Primer, Publisher: Sage Publications Inc, Editors, Second edition.
Rennes J. (ed), 2021 [2016],  Encyclopédie critique du genre, Corps, sexualités, rapports sociaux, Paris: La Découverte, (2e éd. augm.).
Tuhiwai Smith L.,1999, Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples, Zed Books, New York.
Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams., 2008. The Craft of Research, Third Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Faculty or entity

FIAL