This course examines the connections between gender and militarism with a
focus on 20th century Africa but crucial relevance to the rest of the
world. A word of caution: while the course will often pay particular
attention to certain groups of women, it does not conceive ‘gender’ as
being synonymous with ‘women’! In a first step, students will be
introduced to different definitions and understandings of both gender
and militarism as well as fundamental questions such as whether gender
is an appropriate and applicable concept in African contexts in the
first place. Drawing on a wide range of research on West, East and
southern Africa, students will then critically engage with different
aspects of the relationship between gender and militarism that include:
militarized versions of masculinity and femininity; gendered histories
of colonial armies; the gendered politics of liberation struggles; the
role of women in military states and institutions; and women’s support
of and resistance against militarism.
Kurs-Information
Semester: WiSe 2020/21