Gender, Sexuality and the Public Sphere in Contemporary Africa

The TOAfrica Summer School 2023 edition will address the theme of gender and sexuality Africa with an interdisciplinary approach in the social sciences.

The TOAfrica Summer School will offer the opportunity to explore the kaleidoscope of issues concerning gender, culture, and sexuality within an academic and professional framework. What does gender mean in Africa today? What is the impact of economic and political development and social transformations on men and women? What is the role of feminist theories, LGBTQ and women’s movements in the public sphere of contemporary African contexts? What does it mean to do political, anthropological, geographical, historical, literature research in the field of African gendered knowledges? As such, this edition of the Summer School will welcome inquiry and expertise from multiple and overlapping perspectives including (but not limited to) gender studies, feminist critical approaches, lesbian and gay studies, queer perspectives, transgender theory, critical sexuality studies, transformative and inclusive development projects and participatory action-research projects.

Against this background, the TOAfrica Summer School brings together scholars from different disciplines and practitioners and offers lectures, roundtables, and workshops that provide an in-depth exploration of these dynamics, intending to provide students with a thorough perspective on gender and sexuality in Africa.

The Summer School will be held in presence at the Campus Luigi Einaudi (Torino, Italy).

Course leader

The program is organized by the Department of Cultures, Politics, and Society of the University of Turin (Italy).

Target group

BA and MA students, PhD candidates, international development professionals.

Course aim

The TOAfrica summer school offers Master’s students and professionals an introductory framework to the African continent with particular attention to the Sub-Saharan regions, that in recent years have undergone impressive changes: demographic and economic growth, fast urbanization, internal and external mobility, the development of digital technologies, artistic creativity, social, cultural and religious transformations, but also conflicts and environmental, health and political crises. A new landscape which has repositioned the continent in the global perspective, generating interest in international observers and investors.

Credits info

3 EC
At the end of the course there is a final exam consisting of a group presentation, the passing of which entitles the student to certification of participation in TOAfrica. This leads to the recognition of 3 university CFU/ECTS by the master's degree programs of the CPS Department of the University of Turin (Italy). In line with these criteria, the TOAfrica organizing committee considers specific requests related to other universities to facilitate the recognition of students' participation.

Fee info

EUR 350: Students and graduates
EUR 450: Professionals

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT (applications before April 30):
EUR 280: Students and graduates
EUR 380: Professionals

Scholarships

The school offers six FREETORINO scholarships covering the accommodation expenses.
The scholarship will be awarded based on the consistency of CV and motivation letter with the Summer School program.