Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English (if there are non-Norwegian speaking students present)

Recommended previous knowledge

Recommend pre-requisites for students in history, humanities in general, and social sciences: 40 credits.

Learning outcomes

After the completion of the course, the student shall

Knowledge

  • have gained theoretical and empirical insight into changing concepts of the body and reproduction through history.
  • have knowledge of key academic debates related to the histories of reproduction.
  • understand how societal norms and cultural attitudes have influenced contemporary and historical understandings of the body.
  • know how knowledge of the past can help us understand contemporary challenges as pertains to the body, gender, diversity and justice.

Skills

  • analyze the ethical dilemmas associated with reproductive practices in history, such as the use of contraception, abortion, and the implications of the eugenics movement.
  • critically reflect on the role of changing gender norms in conceptualizations of the body
  • be able to write a scientific paper, choosing a topic, finding relevant academic literature, asking research questions, making an argument, discussing evidence, building structure and referencing.
  • contribute to the UN sustainability goals about gender equality: Increased skills about understanding gender equality and inequality through discussing and evaluating gendered norms, stereotypes, and histories.

General competence

  • have insight into the role and significance of history use in modern societies and in peoples’ daily lives as relevant to the body and reproductive choices.
  • be able to participate in discussions and debates about reproduction and body norms in politics, social interaction, and public life.
  • apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases in the context of media, politics, advertising, and commercial endeavours.
  • have gained better mastery of the basic processes of (academic) writing.

Contents

The human body and reproductive choices are central to understandings of power, gender, sexuality, ability, and race. Throughout history, individuals and groups have sought to document, change, and protest various regulations and norms regarding the human body, including fertility, menstruation, menopause, abortion, birth, sexuality, and death. This interdisciplinary course explores these life experiences through historic examples, discourses, places, and objects. It presents a wide array of Nordic and international case studies that help us consider the role of reproduction and the body in the world, and documents changes around us regarding reproductive justice, legislation, protest, art, and lived experience.

Teaching and learning methods

The class includes lectures and seminars. Students are expected to participate regularly and actively in both. Learning methods: Active reading, discussion of readings, writing of draft, group presentations, peer feedback, active participation through discussions with faculty and students.

During the semester, in the seminars, each student will write one draft (300 words) which will lay the basis for the term paper (exam), provide feedback on other students drafts by reading, preparing comments, and discussing in class, actively read and prepare comments for class.

Expected workload: 270 hours.

Examination requirements

The following requirements for each student must be approved by the course instructor:

  • one oral presentation
  • one written draft
  • one or two rounds of oral feedback on the draft

Examinations

Term paper (total of 4 500 words +/-10 percent, not counting the footnotes/in-text citations and bibliography). Term paper is written individually. Students may write in English or Scandinavian. Graded assessment.

Student evaluation

The instructor responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides on the method of evaluation, and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about the evaluation method chosen will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes, if there are places available.

Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course

Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 10:11:24 AM