Course Description:

The course is designed for international graduate students. It aims to introduce students to key aspects of gender and equality theory and provide them with practical training in the field of equality. Numerous international agreements and national law in Iceland recommend or require gender mainstreaming in policymaking and public decision making. The course responds to this by providing practical preparation for jobs in international organisations, public administration, training, education, media, and other specialized fields. It looks into the history and meaning of the concept of gender equality with a special emphasis on gender and diversity mainstreaming, intersectionality and gender budgeting. It explores the numerical and substantial representation of gender and the importance of gender responsiveness in policy making and social discourse.

See the course in the UI course catalogue here.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

• Explain the history and meaning of the concept of gender equality, gender and diversity mainstreaming, intersectionality and gender budgeting.
• Analyse the representation of gender and the importance of gender sensitivity in policymaking and social discourse.
• Perform an independent and organized assessment of gender relations and gender equality actions within a specific field, using concepts and perspectives introduced in the course.
• Analyse the theoretical perspectives behind selected actions for gender equality.
• Apply the methodology of gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting to a selected function and prepare a plan of action.

Course schedule and assessment:

• Course schedule:
  • Weekly lessons from 11 January to 23 April 2027
  • Please note that classes will be scheduled on Icelandic time (GMT +0)
• Mode of study:
  • Online learning. The course is taught online through the Learning Platform Canvas. In the first part of the course, the emphasis is on recorded lectures, online discussions and a smaller assignment. 
  • In the second part, students develop their final project applying gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting methods to a selected function.
• Assessment:
  • 100% assignments: Participation in online discussions (10%), a smaller assignment (20%), and a final project developed through a draft, peer review and final submission (70%).
  • Students will receive a transcript of records upon completion of the course.

Application procedure:

Students apply via the University of Iceland’s application portal.

All students must attach to their application:

• a copy of their current transcript from their home institution
• and the information page of their passport or another form of valid travel ID to their application.

Application deadline is 1 December 2026.

Applications will be answered by 15 December. All relevant information will be sent to accepted students, with acceptance letters and instructions on how to access the Canvas online learning platform.