About this course
What does it mean to be a man? This question drives more social processes around the world than you could possibly imagine. From wars and climate change to topics like education, media, and sexuality - ideas about masculinities are part of it all.
For example, why is it that some boys seem to be falling behind in school, yet many scientific fields like engineering and mathematics are still male-dominated? How does the media contribute to reinforcing or perhaps challenging what it means to be a boy or a man? Why is violence so closely associated with masculinity?
In this free online course from GRÓ GEST – Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme, four internationally acclaimed scholars in the social sciences, across gender studies, education, psychology, sociology and cultural studies, are going to examine issues and debates around men, boys and masculinities, and provide you with some answers to these questions, and many, many more.
Prerequisites: Students with good English skills at the first stages of tertiary education or higher will get the most out of this course. Successful completion of upper secondary education is probably necessary for understanding the course.
Basic theoretical approaches in studies on men, boys and masculinities. Masculinities as socially constructed, produced and reproduced through social processes. How the social construction of masculinities affect boys’ participation and learning achievement. How socialization processes happening within educational institutions often replicate that of broader society. Why men are falling behind in education worldwide. How masculinity is expressed in the media and what it means for men and women. How different media can perpetrate or challenge norms of hegemonic masculinity. How gender bias is embedded in new technologies and Artificial Intelligence. How to engage men and boys to make the digital space one of gender equality. How stereotypical masculine representations may affect peacebuilding processes and intercultural dialogue. How harmful notions of masculinities can be used to radicalize and recruit men and boys to violent extremist groups.
Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction - Theories in Men and Masculinities
Week 2: Boys and Education
Week 3: Masculinity and Media
Week 4: Digital World and Innovation
Week 5: Peace, Politics and Environmental Justice
Reykjavik: edX , 2024. , p. 150