Women’s Rights and Representation Short Courses
Explore our range of Short Courses in Women's Rights and Representation starting this January!
In a week of heightened political activity, commentary and analysis it is likely that one significant anniversary will be lost amongst the noise - the anniversary of British women exercising their right to vote for the first time in the general election of 14 December 1918.
On this date, just over 100 years ago, 8.5 million women in the UK met the criteria needed to cast their vote - about 2/3 of the total population of women in the UK at the time.
This action of equality was enabled after the Representation of the People Act was passed earlier in the year, which reformed the UK's electoral system and allowed women over 30 with a certain property qualification to participate in the polls. Although it took another decade for women to receive the same voting rights as men, it was a positive and momentous step forward for equality.
With this in mind, this week we’re celebrating the range of Short Courses available from January 2020 at the University of Edinburgh that draw inspiration from women’s rights and representation.
Read on to find a new year's resolution, you won't want to break...
Women in American History: From Pocahontas to the Presidential Election
Course starts: 16 January, 2020
Booking deadline: 9 January at 23.59
From Pocahontas to Hillary Clinton, on this daytime course you’ll use case studies to explore the lives of women in their own words.
You’ll compare and contrast the experience of American women according to geography, race and class; assess the extent to which the featured women were representative of other women of the time and evaluate the reshaping of women’s roles in American society.
Democracy in Theory and Practice
Course starts: 16 January, 2020
Booking deadline: 9 January at 23.59
What is democracy and why does it matter? This evening course will introduce you to debates in democratic theory and different models from ancient Greece to the present. You’ll discuss issues including the extension of voting rights to all adult citizens and the political representation of women today. *This course includes a daytime visit to the Scottish Parliament in Week 4!*
International Human Rights Law
Course starts: 16 January, 2020
Booking deadline: 9 January at 23.59
This evening course is an excellent introduction to international human rights law and how human rights are protected and enforced. You’ll start with a look at the history and philosophy that led to the development of international human rights treaties in the 20th century before moving on to explore a range of specific rights – including women’s rights and non-discrimination - in more detail through case studies, discussion and debate.
Gender and Sexuality in Literature
Course starts: 16 January, 2020
Booking deadline: 9 January at 23.59
From Shakespeare to Angela Carter, on this course you’ll examine the centrality of gender and sexuality in the discussion of literature and culture. You’ll spend your afternoons focusing specifically on the construction of gender identity, sexuality and gender norms in literary texts and through LGBTQ+ narratives map major developments in gender, sexuality and queer studies.
Remember, booking deadlines are 8 days before the course start date and spaces fill up quickly, so book away!
Browse our full range of Term 2 Short Courses