To provide students with a theoretical framework for understanding the social, political and intellectual meanings of gender and multiculturalism in the Global North; to present feminist critiques of different approaches to multiculturalism; to familiarise students with the development of multiculturalism and its gendered effects within particular national and transnational contexts.

The syllabus will include theories that account for multiculturalism as a top-down response to cultural difference which produces a reification of 'culture' and gender. It will also examine theories that identify multiculturalism as a new way forward to a 'politics of recognition' and progressive gender politics. Examples of gendered cultural practices that raise critical questions for the effectiveness of multiculturalism, such as polygamy, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, unequal access to health care, education and rights of ownership will be examined. The course will consider how multiculturalism is reshaping the public spheres and civil societies of the West with particular implications for women and for gender relations. The module will be driven by questions relating to the relationships between gender, cultural diversity and global capitalism; how multicultural approaches to social cohesiveness reconceive belonging in gendered ways; and how gender relations affect and are affected by multicultural strategies for negotiating difference

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Critically evaluate theories of multiculturalism and gender Describe and discuss feminist engagements with multicultural concepts and politics Apply multicultural and feminist theory to specific 'multicultural' issues and events Compare and contrast approaches to multiculturalism in at least three national contexts

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Evaluate the different theoretical positions taken and differentiate between what is at stake in each of the debates

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