Adult Education, Gender and Intersectionality

Course description
This course is designed to question heteronormativity and herocentricity within the field of Social Sciences in general and Adult Education in particular. Recent developments on gender studies show how gender and gender identities are socially, culturally, and historically constructed, and are embedded in power relations. These theoretical frameworks make it possible to give visibility to all groups that are not part of the dominant heteronormativity or hegemonic masculinity. However, exclusionary policies and practices are not based only on gender. The intersectionality approach explores the complex and cumulative ways in which the multiple forms of discrimination (such as classism, ageism, sexism, and racism) overlap and intersect in the production of social relations and in the making of people’s experiences, practices and lives. 
During the course, students will study the most relevant theoretical contributions in the field of intersectionality and gender studies (feminist, masculinity and LGBTQ theories). They will also critically analyse the contribution of these theoretical proposals to the study of Adult Education and Learning discourses, practices and experiences. 

Outline of the course contents
Part 1: Theoretical Perspectives on sex, gender and intersectionality
•    Feminist theories: concepts, approaches and recent trends
•    Masculinity theories: concepts, approaches and recent trends
•    LGBTQ theories: concepts, approaches and recent trends
•    Intersectionality theory: concepts, approaches and recent trends
Part 2: Discourses and learning experiences
•    Contributions of intersectionality to Adult Learning and Education (ALE) research and practices 
•    Women and ALE: participation, learning experiences and discourses
•    Man in ALE: participation, learning experiences and discourses
•    LGBTQ people in ALE: participation, learning experiences and discourses