Course Syllabus

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Transgender in Scandinavia

 

Semester & Location:

Spring 2020 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Gender Studies, Sociology
Faculty Members:

Cat McIlroy
Program Director:

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

Mondays & Thursdays, 11:40-13:00, 1D-410

 

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Charley Kåberg Normkritisk Illustration

Course Description

Transgender celebrities such as Caitlin Jenner and Laverne Cox have fueled mainstream interest in transgender lives and experiences. However, trans and queer communities have long fought for trans people’s rights to be ‘true to self’. This course explores the history of trans activism with a special focus on Sweden, and how legislative and medical discourses change how we think about gender identities and rights. We also explore topics such as transphobia, gender disclosure and HIV criminalization laws, reproductive rights, gender-neutral pronouns, transgender children and their families, and how race and class intersect with being trans.

 

Learning Objectives

  • To understand and critically evaluate the historical, cultural and political context of trans identities and trans bodies in Scandinavia and Sweden, in particular.
  • To critically compare the inclusion and exclusion of trans narratives in gender theory discourse and feminist movements in Europe and the U.S. 
  • To recognize the stakeholders and forces of influence that govern and police gender conformity. 
  • To identify key legislation that impacts trans lives and critically examine the surrounding discourse. 

 

Faculty

Cat McIlroy (MSc in Equality Studies) is a trans activist and educator, actively engaged in LGBTQ activism in Ireland and Europe for many years. As former Co-Chair of Transgender Europe (TGEU) and Co-ordinator of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), Cat has worked to educate and advocate to bring about positive social change for trans people. They are a former Chairperson and one of the founding members of Trans Fest Stockholm, a community collective that strives to create positive, inclusive and empowering celebrations of trans and gender-diverse visibility, culture, and community.

 

Selected Readings

* Ida Linander, Erika Alm, Anne Hammarström, and Lisa Harryson (2017) Negotiating the (bio)medical gaze - Experiences of trans-specific healthcare in Sweden, Social Science and Medicine, 174, 9-16

* Malin Lindroth, Galit Zeluf, Louise Nilunger Mannheimer and Charlotte Deogan (2017) Sexual Health among Transgender People in Sweden, International Journal of Transgenderism

* Yolanda Martínez-San Miguel and Sarah Tobias (Editors) (2016) Trans Studies: The Challenge to Hetero/Homo Normativities, Rutgers University Press, New Jersey

* Christina Richards, Walter Pierre Bouman, Leighton Seal, Meg John Barker, Timo O. Nieder and Guy T'Sjoen (2016) Non-binary or Genderqueer Genders, International Review of Psychiatry, 28:1, 95-102

* Marie Gustafsson Sendén, Emma A. Bäck and Anna Lindqvist (2015) Introducing a gender-neutral pronoun in a natural gender language: the influence of time on attitudes and behavior, Frontiers in Psychology, 6:893

* Dean Spade (2015) Normal Life: Administrative Violence, Critical Trans Politics, and the Limits of Law, Duke University Press, Durham

* Susan Stryker (2017) Transgender History, Seal Press, Berkeley

* Susan Stryker and Stephen Whittle (Editors) (2006) The Transgender Studies Reader, Routledge, New York

* TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, Duke University Press, Durham

* Galit Zeluf, Cecilia Dhejne, Carolina Orre, Louise Nilunger Mannheimer, Charlotte Deogan, Jonas Höijer and Anna Ekéus Thorson, (2016) Health, Disability and Quality of Life among Trans People in Sweden – a web-based survey, BMC Public Health, 16:903

 

Field Studies and Guest Lectures  

  • ANOVA – we will visit Stockholm’s gender team to hear about the process and healthcare options available for trans and gender-diverse people wanting medical interventions. 
  • Transformering.se – we will visit RFSL & RFSL Ungdom to learn about their support and information website for trans and gender diversity questions, as well as the ongoing political and advocacy work for trans rights in Sweden.
  • Trans People and Asylum in Sweden – Suma Abdelsamie will speak about the experiences of trans people seeking asylum in Sweden.
  • Trans Children, Parents and Families – Jojo Ramey Louis and Zafire Vrba will share their different experiences of gender-neutral parenting in the Swedish context and their perspectives as trans parents in their chosen family forms.

 

Approach to Teaching

This is a mostly discussion-based course where each person is encouraged to offer personal insights and different perspectives to help collectively question and explore our understandings of trans and gender-diverse experiences in society.

 

SAFER SPACE

In order to create a class environment that is considerate and respectful of our diverse life experiences, it is very important that we all share responsibility to help ensure a safer space for each other. Our collective learning will be enhanced through our different perspectives.

 

Trigger Warnings and Self-care

We will be openly engaging with numerous topics and issues that some students might find uncomfortable. If you feel you need to excuse yourself from the conversation or the classroom because of things brought up by our discussion, you are welcome to do so. Please just advise me at some point before or afterwards if this is the case.

 

Expectations of Students  

Assigned readings must be done prior to class to encourage active engagement and informed participation. If you haven’t done the readings, it will be obvious to me and the rest of the class. I want to see your participation, understanding, and engagement with the material during our discussions.

Computers can be used in class, but please keep phones in your bag. You are encouraged to take notes (because you won’t remember everything), but the how and where is up to you to decide. Please be aware that failure to comply with these expectations will negatively affect your participation grade.  

 

Assessment

To be eligible for a passing grade, you must complete all of the assigned work:

* 40% Participation and Discussion Leading – demonstrated by actively participating in class/field studies and leading class discussion (with a partner).

* 20% Presentation – 30 minute presentation (with a partner).                     

* 20% Personal Gender Narrative – create a short booklet/zine with pictures and captions.

* 20% Experience in Trans Community Reflection – 2-3 page essay.

Guidelines for all assignments are posted online by the first day of the course.

 

Academic Regulations  

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

 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

 

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due