GI425 Half Unit
Introduction to Gender, Peace and Security
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Aiko Holvikivi
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Gender, Peace and Security. This course is available on the MSc in Gender, MSc in Gender (Rights and Human Rights), MSc in Gender (Sexuality), MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation, MSc in Gender, Media and Culture, MSc in Gender, Policy and Inequalities, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Human Rights and Politics, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies and MSc in Media, Communication and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Students should apply by 10am UK time on Friday 26 September 2025. Offers will be made after 10am on this date and will continue until all places are filled.
All students on the MSc Gender, Peace and Security (for whom the course is compulsory) will be given a place. Priority is then given to home department students and then to those who have the course listed in their programme regulations who apply in the first 24-hours (by 10:00am, Friday 26 September 2025), space permitting. Students from outside gender studies should include a brief statement outlining their interest in the course (max. 200 words). Please note the timing of your request within the first 24-hours will not impact chances of being accepted onto the course. Requests received after this timeframe, or outside option requests, will be allocated based on submitted statements if space remains.
Please do not email the Course Convenor with personal expressions of interest as these are not required and do not influence who is offered a place. Contact gender@lse.ac.uk with any queries.
Course content
This course provides a critical examination of gender, peace and security issues in conflict and post-conflict contexts. The course introduces the international Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which originated in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), and which constitutes the main international policy framework in the field. The course covers the main thematic pillars of the WPS agenda, namely participation; protection from gendered violence; the prevention of conflict and violence; and gendered approaches to relief and recovery in conflict and post-conflict settings. The course examines a range of issues through a gender and feminist lens and applies a critical perspective to key issues and international interventions.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Indicative reading
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Basu, S., Kirby, P. & Shepherd, L.J. (eds) (2020) New Directions in Women, Peace and Security, Bristol University Press.
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Cohn, C. (ed.) (2013) Women and Wars, Polity Press.
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Coomaraswamy, R. (ed.) (2015) Preventing Conflict, Transforming Justice, Securing the Peace: Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, UN Women.
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Davies, S.E. & True, J. (eds) (2018) The Oxford Handbook of Women Peace and Security, Oxford University Press.
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Enloe, C. (2010), Nimo’s War, Emma’s War: Making Feminist Sense of the Iraq War, University of California Press.
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Otto, D. and Heathcote, G. (eds) (2014). Rethinking Peacekeeping, Gender Equality and Collective Security: An Introduction. Routledge.
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Väyrynen, T., Parashar, S., Féron, E. & Confortini, C. C. (2021). Routledge Handbook of Feminist Peace Research. Routledge.
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Zalewski, M., Drumond, P., Prugl,E., & Stern,M. 2018. (eds). Sexual Violence Against Men in Global Politics, Routledge.
Assessment
Essay (90%, 2500 words)
Continuous assessment (10%)
Key facts
Department: Gender Studies
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 45
Average class size 2024/25: 15
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Specialist skills