Course Syllabus

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Prostitution and the Sex Trade in Europe A 

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Prostitution and Sex Trade

Semester & Location:

Spring 2018 - DIS Copenhagen/Stockholm
Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:

Amsterdam
Major Disciplines:

Gender Studies, Human Rights, Legal Studies
Faculty Members:

Ane Krestine Larsen
Program Director:

Iben De Neergaard, idn@dis.dk 
Time & Place:

Mondays and Thursdays, 10:05-11:25
Location: F24-306

Course Introduction

This course will provide you with an understanding of prostitution as a phenomenon related to gender, sexuality, economy and migration. We will explore the notion of prostitution from a historical, political, legal, feminist and sociological perspective. You will gain insight into the status of prostitution in Europe in comparison to the US, with a focus on Denmark, Sweden and Holland. Though prostitution is legal in all these three countries, they each represent different policies towards prostitution and thus provide a useful framework for the understanding of how prostitution, gender norms and social hierarchies are shaped by means of law, policies and public debate.

We will explore questions such as: What are the causes and consequences of prostitution? Is prostitution work or violence? Why is it a state matter to regulate what individuals chose to do with their bodies? Who are the costumers buying sex? How is global inequality affecting the sex trade? How does prostitution relate to gender norms? What is the value of the various legal frameworks represented in Europe? Should prostitution be legal or illegal?  What are the consequences – financially, emotionally, and socially – of prostitution?

The aim of the course is to approach prostitution from various points of view and gain insights into the lives of sex workers and professionals working to support them one way or another. You will meet activists, NGO’s and sex workers in order to broaden our perception and understand the complexity of the sex industry. The course includes a study tour to Amsterdam, The Netherlands as well as Malmö and Gothenburg, Sweden.

Objectives

The course aims to give you an understanding of prostitution as a complex sociological and legal phenomenon. By exploring the different conceptualizations of sex trade (as a social problem, a gender issue etc.), you should comprehend how discourse, norms and values shape our perception of prostitution and prostitutes. While the course does not seek to promote certain views on sex trade, it does aim at making you understand what influence your personal opinions, in order to ensure a critical approach to all perspectives on prostitution. Throughout the course special emphasis will be given to developing an understanding of the sex trade in Denmark, Sweden and Holland and of how it has been transformed by globalization and migration.

Instructor

Ane Krestine Larsen, BA and MA in Communication Studies from Roskilde University (2013) and MA in Human Rights and Democratization from European Inter-University Centre (2012). Ane has been involved with the implementation and evaluation of Danish prostitution policy at the Danish National Center for Social Research (SFI) and has done research on the representation of prostitution and prostitutes in Danish media and policy. Besides a full-time faculty position at DIS, Ane works as a counselor at Sex & Samfund (The Danish Family Planning Association), focusing on gender identity, sexual health and sexuality among youth. Moreover, Ane is connected to Amnesty International as a human rights educator.        

Disability and Resource Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk ) to coordinate this.  In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

 

Academic Honesty:

Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others.

Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home university will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

Reading list

Course Summary:

Date Details Due