Reproductive Justice in Global Contexts
“Reproductive justice requires that the most vulnerable populations be kept in the center of our lens, not at the margins.” –Loretta Ross
What is reproductive justice (RJ), and how is it different from reproductive rights and reproductive health? What role does (or can) reproductive justice play in a global context?
This course explores how gender, class, race/ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, immigration status, criminalization status, and other multifaceted identities shape a person’s ability to self-determine their reproductive destiny. The course will utilize readings, films, and guest speakers to understand the socioeconomic and political contexts in which reproduction is situated: first, in the United States, where the RJ framework originated; then, in Sweden and other countries with different approaches to RJ. Topics include intersectional, anti-racism, feminist, and critical public health perspectives on abortion, adoption, birth, contraception, fertility, health care, parenting, pregnancy, sterilization, and surrogacy.
PhD course 7.5 credits, Autumn 2024
Centre for Gender Research, Uppsala University
Faculty: Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH
Guest Researcher and U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Centre for Gender Research; Associate Professor of Public Health, Augustana College, Illinois USA; Affiliated Faculty in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Scandinavian Studies.
The course is given in a hybrid format, meaning that seminars are held both in place in Uppsala and online, allowing for students outside Uppsala University to attend.
All images from Mostphotos
Course objectives
- Understand historical and contemporary issues in reproductive justice (RJ)
- Employ RJ framework to examine diverse cultural perspectives on reproductive options
- Analyze and critique RJ’s relevance to social, cultural, and political movements in the US, Sweden, and a country/context/topic of the student’s choice
- Apply course concepts to areas of academic and professional interest
Course meetings
The course will meet weekly for 5 weeks in a live/online hybrid format so that students from outside Uppsala University can apply. Dates: Thursdays, week 40-44 (Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31), at 13:00-15:00.
Course materials
Assigned readings, films, and recorded guest lectures will be used to guide discussion. Students will also identify their area of interest relevant to the course topic, and then select appropriate materials in conversation with the instructor. The course will be organized and discussed in themes:
- Week 1: Reproductive Justice in Context: Choice, Control, Authority
- Week 2: Pregnancy in Uncertain Terrain
- Week 3: Is Parenthood a Human Right?
- Week 4: Applying RJ in International Contexts
- Week 5: Students analyze their country/topic of choice using RJ framework
Final deliverable
Students will use the reproductive justice framework to write a paper about a topic of their choice, preferably relevant to their doctoral focus. This topic will be examined as it applies to RJ within the cultural context relevant to the student’s area of study. Specific instructions will be provided during the course.