LEFKOFRIDI Zoe & RADELICKI Lesia - A Union of Equality: Theory and Practice (25h)
Professor: Zoe LEFKOFRIDI
Professor: Lesia RADELICKI
Academic Assistant: Luis MATOS
This course explores the theory, practice, and politics of gender equality in the European Union, situating it within broader debates on equality, diversity, and democratic governance. With a focus on EU laws, policies, and current challenges, students will examine the Union’s progress toward equality, the persistence of gaps across member states, and the implications of democratic backsliding and crises such as Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine. Adopting an intersectional lens, the course highlights how gender inequality intersects with other forms of discrimination, including race, disability, and sexual orientation, and engages students in debates, policy analysis, and practical exercises. By combining theoretical foundations with interactive learning methods such as structured debates, poster presentations, and policy proposal development, the course prepares students to critically evaluate EU equality policies and to design evidence-based, inclusive policy recommendations that address contemporary challenges and strengthen the Union’s commitment to equality, diversity, and democracy.