Neo-patriarchy. A recurring idea of the hierarchical gender order 23-PPG-SEM23L03

IN CASE OF PROBLEMS WITH REGISTRATION, PLEASE, CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR: bomonako@amu.edu.pl

1. the objectives of the course:
The idea of the course stems from an observation that a concept of linear historical progress marked by increasing gender equality and piecemeal but inevitable dismantling of patriarchal hierarchies is far from being an adequate description of reality, both in Western and non-Western societies. While in many spheres of social life gender equality has been a significant achievement of emancipatory movements, we have been simultaneously witnessing diverse political, cultural and economic processes that have undermined it and contributed to establishing new forms of hierarchy and dependency. Among the most important factors responsible for these processes one should mention so called "return of religion" (especially in its politicized and neo-traditionalist variants), implementation of the neoliberal economic policies (involving the dismantling of the welfare-state and privatization of social reproduction), resurgence of nationalism (with its hierarchical gender models) as well as different forms of rejection - both practical and intellectual - of the Enlightenment values that have been a basis of progressive movements, including feminist ones. The goal of the course will be to analyze these multiple processes and to examine a number of cases illustrating the anti-egalitarian backlash that takes place in Western as well as non-Western societies. During the course we will refer both to theoretical and empirical studies from the fields of history, sociology, political science as well as philosophy and cultural studies.
2. Prerequisites (knowledge, skills and social competences): Command of English sufficient to read the literature on the subject in this language