The aim of this interdisciplinary research group is to go beyond adding women to politics. Instead, we will use a gender analysis to transform our understanding of politics. Gender influences political rhetoric, practices, and philosophies concerning race, citizenship and nationalism. An interdisciplinary approach using the methodologies of the humanities will also enable us to develop innovative answers to central questions in the study of politics. For instance, a gender analysis can reveal the artificiality of political philosophy's distinction between public and private rights.
Literary analysis can discern the ways in which tropes of sexuality operate in political rhetoric.
Historians can trace similarities and differences in gendered nationalisms across place and time. This research group will organize a workshop bringing together scholars from across campus and the wider Twin Cities intellectual community to brainstorm the chief problems and approaches we should tackle for a gender analysis of politics We will organize public seminars where scholars' work can be presented. For a schedule, go here . A core group of participants will also apply a gender analysis to theoretical texts, read current examples of a gender analysis approach in different disciplines, and read each other's work. In its second year, the research group will co-sponsor a working seminar conference.