Programme description for Gender, power and diversity, One-semester Programme (Spring 2026)

Knowledge
After completing the study, the student will
• have knowledge of feminist epistemology
• have knowledge of social science and humanities theory and research on gender, power and diversity
• have knowledge about the exercise of power and inequality in society, as well as about how the exercise of power and inequality in society can be challenged
• have knowledge of the importance of gender and other different dimensions in society, as well as problematic aspects of categorizing people along such dimensions
• have knowledge of feminism and other struggles for recognition and justice in Norway

Skills
After completing the study, the student will
• be able to reflect on, apply and convey feminist epistemology
• be able to analyze own and others' experiences in the light of gender and other differences, and in the light of societal structures more generally
• be able to reflect on, apply and disseminate social science and humanities theory and research that can help us understand gender, power and diversity
• be able to reflect on, apply and disseminate knowledge about gender and feminism, as well as other differences and struggles for recognition and justice
• be able to understand and challenge the exercise of power and inequality in society
• be able to understand their own role in such social processes

General knowledge
After completing the course, the student will
• be able to reflect on, apply and communicate theory and research
• be able to understand social processes, as well as reflect on their own role in these
• be able to understand knowledge development as individual and collective work
• be able to contribute to changing society in the direction of a more equitable distribution of resources and power, as well as increased recognition and appreciation of different types of diversity
• be able to explain the value of having a gender and diversity perspective on society

The program runs over one semester and is offered in the spring semester.

The six-month study program Gender, Power and Diversity enables the student to understand and challenge the exercise of power and inequality in society. Theory, empirical studies, students' own experiences and various forms of teaching and learning are used for this purpose. Knowledge of gender and feminism is central to the study. However, the concept of equality is widely understood, and other dimensions of difference and other struggles for recognition and justice are thus also central. Class, culture, race and migration are other key categories that are highlighted in the study. At the same time, students are trained to critically reflect on the categorization of people along such dimensions, - as well as on their own thinking and practice more generally.

The six-month study program Gender, Power and Diversity has a social science focus, but is also based on humanistic thinking and research.

• SV-159: Feminist epistemologies are based on feminist philosophy of knowledge and sociology of knowledge.

• SV-160: Gender, family and society have a sociological focus, but are also based on political science and humanities theory and research.

• SV-161: Migration, mobility and materiality in a gender and diversity perspective have an anthropological focus. However, information science thinking and studies are also used in the course.

SV-159 Feminist epistemologies are mainly based on theory, and deal with feminist thinking about knowledge development. SV-160 Gender, family and society and SV-161 Migration, mobility and materiality in a gender and diversity perspective are based on both theory, empirical studies and the use of students' own experiences. In both of these subjects, great emphasis is placed on producing and making visible people's (including students') experiences and reflections on these. A key purpose, however, is to explore links between these and what are often called social structures. Links between society's micro and macro dimensions are in focus. This means that the focus is also on organizations, institutions and politics.

The aim of the program Gender, Power and Diversity is to educate students who:

• can understand the exercise of power and inequality in society, including its own role in such processes, and which thereby

• can contribute to societal change in the direction of a more equitable distribution of resources and power, as well as increased recognition and appreciation of different types of diversity.

The program is relevant for students with a social science background, but also for students with other academic backgrounds. It is also relevant for people from the field of practice.