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POL42040

Academic Year 2025/2026

Gender & the Political System (POL42040)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Dawn Walsh
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to key issues in gender and the domestic political system. The module includes introductory theory, explores how political institutions are gendered, asks whether the gender of our political representatives matters, what tools are used to improve the gender balance in political institutions and what are the normative arguments regarding the use of these positive action measures.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes
To thoroughly familiarise students with cutting edge academic research in the broad area of gender and political institutions.
Allow students to connect theoretical debates on gender and politics with real-world political issues & policymaking, focusing on comparing different countries.
Allow students to assess the normative and practical arguments for different methods of increasing women's participation in politics.
Develop students’ independent research capabilities.
Enhance students’ writing skills.
Develop oral presentation skills.
Enhance teamwork skills.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

222

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Seminars - including group discussions
Teamwork
Engagement with academic research
Presentations
Written Assignments
Use of AI allowed in essay preparation worksheet assignment only

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay - list of question and technical requirements on module outline. Week 12 Graded No
60
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay preparation worksheet- details on Brightspace. Week 8 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group project with presentation on connection academic research to news story.
Different group presenting each week.		 Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

In line with university regulations feedback will be provided within 20 days of the deadline for submitting the assignment. Further details provided on the course outline and in class.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 09:00 - 10:50
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