General Course - Gender, Knowledge and Social Justice
The general course "Genders, Knowledge, and Social Justice" is a cross-disciplinary course (general course) open to students of all undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the University of Padua. It was conceived by the 'Elena Cornaro' University Center for gender knowledge, cultures, and policies to respond to the University's policies and European Community guidelines on gender equality, equal opportunities, and inclusivity.
The course is aimed at those who wish to deepen their understanding of gender relations in various areas of life, with the goal of uncovering and critically analyzing stereotypes and prejudices that condition social interactions, thus promoting the change in perspective necessary for building a more equitable and sustainable society. It may be of particular interest to students in STEM disciplines, whose courses have not previously included training on gender issues.
The course has a transdisciplinary structure and benefits from the collaboration of professors from the departments of Information Engineering (DEI), Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (DICEA), Linguistic and Literary Studies (DISLL), Historical, Geographical and Antiquity Sciences (DiSSGeA), Mathematics (DM), Developmental and Social Psychology (DPSS), Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health (DSCTV), Economics and Management "Marco Fanno" (DSEA), Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), Political Science, Law and International Studies (SPGI).
Why this general course
The general course aims to provide a conceptual and theoretical introduction to gender studies, from the social and cultural construction of femininity and masculinity at different moments in history, to the most recent scientific debates on gender, research developments, and its applications as a cross-cutting perspective in all areas of knowledge and daily life.
Students will develop the ability to analyze gender discrimination mechanisms and promote a culture of equality by challenging stereotypes and prejudices and preventing gender-based violence. They will be able to critically reflect on the non-neutrality of knowledge and its transmission, on the interplay between gender, knowledge, science, and technology, and on the importance of a gender approach in the field of innovation. They will also learn to analyze the various course topics through an intersectional approach, attentive to the interaction of gender with other aspects that can influence people's life experiences (ethnicity, disability, economic and social status, age, education, sexual orientation, etc.).
Thanks to its multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach, the course offers tools both to those who intend to continue research activities and to those who wish to acquire professional skills aimed at combating gender discrimination, valuing differences, gender mainstreaming strategies, and promoting equal opportunities.
Students in scientific fields will have the opportunity to develop skills on the connections between gender dimensions and technological innovations, expanding their ability to think of solutions and strategies that support and promote the well-being of the environment, society, and individuals.
Contents
The course structure includes some introductory lessons aimed at framing the conceptual and theoretical orientation and the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary dimension of gender studies. Following this, the relationship between genders in specific areas will be addressed in a transdisciplinary manner, such as civil coexistence and political participation, the relationship between gender, science, and technologies, and power relations, domination, and violence. Finally, there will be moments of collective feedback, debate, and workshop activities at the beginning, middle, and end of the course.
From a didactic point of view, the lessons include both a lecture part and a part of active participation by students through group or individual activities.
A.Y. 2025/2026 program – second semester
Classes will start on Friday, February 27th, from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM in room 11 of the Beato Pellegrino complex.
The complete class schedule will be made available on the course's Moodle page shortly and will run from late February to mid-June 2026. Classes will always be held on Friday afternoons from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM, typically in a classroom at the Beato Pellegrino complex.
Delivery and didactic methodologies
The course is delivered in person, with some activities on the Moodle platform. Lessons are taught by professors and sector experts, and also include moments of debate and interactive activities.
Precise information will be provided during the first lesson of the course and published on the Moodle page.
Enrollment procedures for students
Registration is open until February 25, 2026.
To enroll, University students must access the Moodle platform of the Department of Linguistic and Literary Studies with their SSO credentials. The course can be selected as part of the "free choices".
If it is not already included among those of the degree course to which one belongs with automatic approval, the submission of an individual study plan is required, which must be approved by the president of the course to which one belongs.
General course Gender, knowledge and social justice
For further information: centro.elenacornaro@unipd.it
