This module engages with important contributions to philosophy from feminist philosophers, addressing issues that concern the positions of women and people from other stigmatized groups in society. Topics covered may include oppression, the relation between sex and gender, feminine appearance, marriage, motherhood, pornography, sexual violence, injustice and emotions, critical race feminism, men in feminism, trans feminism and crip theory.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the philosophical issues raised by philosophers concerned with gender equality and social justice  

• Identify, contrast, and assess different positions taken by feminist philosophers on questions concerning gender, oppression, intersectionality, feminist knowledge, social justice, and recognition  

• Apply knowledge of these positions to particular examples and problems  

• Critically analyse and formulate arguments for and against various positions in feminist philosophy  

• Demonstrate a grasp of the issues that are of current concern to feminist philosophers, as well as  an understanding of how feminist concerns might apply in other areas of philosophy or political thought  

The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, including, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year.

Transferable / Employability Skills:  

It is worth bearing in mind that, even though the point of the module is to do philosophy, many of the skills you’ll be developing are also highly valued by graduate employers. These include:  

• Critical Thinking: the ability to understand, structure and critically evaluate the key points and arguments made in written texts and discussions – achieved through  reading, small group activities in lectures and seminars, plenary discussions in seminars, reflecting on lecture materials, essay and discussion post preparation and writing.  

• Communication: the ability to formulate and articulate your critical thinking, both orally and on paper, in ways that others can grasp and engage with – achieved through small group work in seminars, seminar discussions, essay/exam writing, and online group discussions.  

• Writing: the ability to structure a written report that builds a high-level argument on the basis of precise analyses – achieved through explicit training in preparation for the formative and summative written work.  

• Organisation: the ability to organise and coordinate workloads – achieved through balancing reading, seminar preparation, and essay preparation.  

• Working with others: collaborating with others, co-constructing ideas, responding sensitively to others – achieved through small group work in seminars and constructive in-class and online debates.  

Group Video Discussion: 30%

Critical Commentary: 20%

Essay: 50%

This is an indicative list of some of the topics that might be covered in this module: 

• Oppression  

• Gender as a social construct  

• Marriage and motherhood 

• Radical feminism  

• Critical race feminism  

• Discipline and the feminine body  

• Pornography, sexual violence, and “rape” culture  

• Injustice and emotions 

• Feminist men  

• Trans feminism

• Crip Theory