TAKE HOME EXAM INTRODUCING GENDER THEORIES 2021
Instructions
- Make sure to use the lectures and the literature in your answers.
- When you make use of the literature, make sure your cite or paraphrase
the literature in the correct way. Include references and page numbers.
- Write down the number of words you have used after each answer.
Exceeding the number of words that are indicated can affect your grade.
- If you upload a word file, make sure you put your name and student
number on the pages
1. History of Gender
A) Explain the following statement: ‘Michel Foucault’s genealogy of sexuality has been
misinterpreted by many historians, but this misunderstanding turned out to be a
productive one.’ Make sure to start with a definition of the Foucauldian genealogy of
sexuality in your answer. [max 300 words]
B) Queer theory and the history of homosexuality is influenced by Judith Butler’s theories
on the performativity of gender. Illustrate the importance of gender terminology in
the history of homosexuality in the Netherlands with three examples. [max 300 words]
2. Feminist Epistemology
During the attempt to vaccinate the population out of the Covid crisis and protect vulnerable
minorities, some critical scientists contradict the view of the majority of medical scientists that
vaccines are a relatively safe means to stop the progress of the virus. One of them, a Dutch
professor in immunology of animals, complains in a video interview that his standpoint on the
vaccine as causing auto-immune diseases is being suppressed, and that all vaccinations have
to be stopped immediately until a study has been done on the effects of vaccinations on auto
immune diseases. He does not refer to any research on this topic nor is there evidence that
he has presented a paper on this topic to an academic forum (ie conferences or peer reviewed
journals). He argues that vaccinations work through triggering the immune system and that
this system may be over triggered, resulting in the body attacking itself. The interview with
this professor was distributed widely through social media to warn people against vaccination.
In week 3 we discussed the study of the production of knowledge. Answer the following
questions on the truth claim of this Dutch professor on the basis of the information given in
this case description:
Instructions
- Make sure to use the lectures and the literature in your answers.
- When you make use of the literature, make sure your cite or paraphrase
the literature in the correct way. Include references and page numbers.
- Write down the number of words you have used after each answer.
Exceeding the number of words that are indicated can affect your grade.
- If you upload a word file, make sure you put your name and student
number on the pages
1. History of Gender
A) Explain the following statement: ‘Michel Foucault’s genealogy of sexuality has been
misinterpreted by many historians, but this misunderstanding turned out to be a
productive one.’ Make sure to start with a definition of the Foucauldian genealogy of
sexuality in your answer. [max 300 words]
B) Queer theory and the history of homosexuality is influenced by Judith Butler’s theories
on the performativity of gender. Illustrate the importance of gender terminology in
the history of homosexuality in the Netherlands with three examples. [max 300 words]
2. Feminist Epistemology
During the attempt to vaccinate the population out of the Covid crisis and protect vulnerable
minorities, some critical scientists contradict the view of the majority of medical scientists that
vaccines are a relatively safe means to stop the progress of the virus. One of them, a Dutch
professor in immunology of animals, complains in a video interview that his standpoint on the
vaccine as causing auto-immune diseases is being suppressed, and that all vaccinations have
to be stopped immediately until a study has been done on the effects of vaccinations on auto
immune diseases. He does not refer to any research on this topic nor is there evidence that
he has presented a paper on this topic to an academic forum (ie conferences or peer reviewed
journals). He argues that vaccinations work through triggering the immune system and that
this system may be over triggered, resulting in the body attacking itself. The interview with
this professor was distributed widely through social media to warn people against vaccination.
In week 3 we discussed the study of the production of knowledge. Answer the following
questions on the truth claim of this Dutch professor on the basis of the information given in
this case description:
