Gender in Political Science Education

Abstract

Major changes have occurred in teaching gender since the shift from women’s studies to gender studies. In some instances gender studies became a separate track within a social science discipline; in others it simply disappeared. US political scientists argue that gender mainstreaming – e.g. the incorporation of female thinkers and feminist thought into the core courses and textbooks of the discipline – improves democratic citizenship and increases the number of women in the profession. European departments seem reluctant to the mainstreaming of gender in the political science curricula. In this panel five senior scholars reflect on the developments in teaching and managing gender and politics education and place their national experiences in a broader European context. The discussion is guided by three core questions. 1) What are the benefits and pitfalls of gender mainstreaming in the curricula? 2) What are the tools faculty need to successfully maintain or embed gender and politics in the programs? 3) What recommendations can be made to ECPR member institutions?