Liberal Liability. Understanding Students’ Conceptions of Gender Structures

Authors

  • Linda Murstedt Stockholm University
  • Maria Jansson Stockholm University
  • Maria Wendt Stockholm University
  • Cecilia Åse Stockholm University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4119/jsse-692

Abstract

Research has shown that teaching gender theories tends to be an educational challenge and elicits student resistance. However, little is known about students’ learning processes in social science. This study aims to explore these learning processes by drawing on feminist pedagogy and conceptual change theory. The results show that when students are asked to perform analysis from a structural gender perspective, they recurrently introduce other explanatory frameworks based on non-structural understandings. The students’ learning processes involve reformulating questions and making interpretations based on liberal understandings of power, freedom of choice and equality. We argue that this process is due to the hegemonic position of the liberal paradigm as well as to the dominant ideas about science. Clarifying the underlying presumptions of a liberal perspective and a structural perspective may help students to recognise applied premises and enable them to distinguish relevant explanations.

Author Biographies

Linda Murstedt, Stockholm University

Linda Murstedt is a PhD canditate at the Dept. of Education, Stockholm University

Maria Jansson, Stockholm University

Maria Jansson is a senior lecturer at the Dept. of Political Science, Stockholm University

Maria Wendt, Stockholm University

Maria Wendt is associated professor in political science at Stockholm University

Cecilia Åse, Stockholm University

Cecilia Åse is associated professor in political science at Stockholm University

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Further information

Published

2014-04-11

How to Cite

Murstedt, L., Jansson, M., Wendt, M., & Åse, C. (2014). Liberal Liability. Understanding Students’ Conceptions of Gender Structures. JSSE - Journal of Social Science Education, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.4119/jsse-692

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Special Topic Articles