AK2202 Gender and Technology 7.5 credits

This course is a social, cultural, philosophical, and historical investigation of gender and technology. Starting with the assumption that technologies are never gender neutral, neither in their design nor in their use, the course explores the co-construction of gender and technology in critical theories and technological practices alike. Drawing on feminist Science and Technology Studies (STS) and feminist media studies, the course provides critical perspectives on connections between gender and technology. The course also aims at provinding a basic understandning of the interplay between gender and technology during history, for example in fields of organization of labor and introduction of new technologies.  

At the same time, the course aims to not only analyze technologies, but to incorporate critical gender awareness in ways of envisioning development of new technologies. The course encourages thinking technologies in ways that make use of critical perspectives to make a difference to the technological practices that are being addressed.

The examination consists in active participation in seminars, short reaction papers, and a final essay. Part of this work is related to ways of thinking, modeling or prototyping technologies differently, to spell out implications for design from a critical gender perspective.

This course aims primarily at enabling the student to develop critical tools and perspectives to understand intersections of gender and technology. As a consequence, it also aims to facilitate thinking and developing technologies in new, different ways.

After the course, the student will be able to:

* critically analyze connections between gender and technology in theory and practice

* write an academic essay in the area of gender and technology, building on central concepts and perspectives of the course

* have a basic historical understanding of the interplay between gender and technology during the 19th and 20th century

* imagine and suggest ways in which technologies can be developed to disrupt or transform gender normative technological practices

180 credits academic studies and documented proficiency in English corresponding to English B.

Recommended prerequisites: Bachelor/The equivalence of three years of advanced studies (180 hp)

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• SEM1 - Participation in Seminars, Short Reaction Papers, 4.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• UPP1 - Final Essay, 3.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The examination consists in active participation in seminars, short reaction papers, and a final essay. Part of this work is related to ways of thinking, modeling or prototyping technologies differently, to spell out implications for design from a critical gender perspective.

The examination consists in active participation in seminars, short reaction papers, and a final essay.

Lina Rahm

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The course might be cancelled if less than 7 students want to enrol.