dr. J.M.L. (Jeanette) den Toonder

Theories of Gender and Intersectionality (BA year 3, Semester 1, 2025-2026)

This course familiarises you with key theories and concepts in gender studies, including some of the most recent developments. It provides conceptualizations of the distinction between sex and gender and several constructivist theories about the categories of ‘women’ and ‘men’. Particular emphasis is placed on the collapse of these binary categories as well as their intersection with other categories of difference such as, for example, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion and dis/ability. We aim to look at theoretical frameworks and analytical tools relevant to the study of Gender and Intersectionality from a global perspective. We discuss major critical articles and chapters to encourage you to conceptualise your thinking about gender and diversity and to examine contemporary developments and challenges in the field.

Modern Literature in the Second Language Classroom (MA, Semester 1, 2025-2026)

In this course we focus on transferring the academic expertise on literature and culture to secondary education. We pay particular attention to the connection between citizenship (burgerschap), an essential element of the most recent curriculum changes in secondary education in the Netherlands. Additionally we address the possibilities of teaching literature to “bovenbouw” pupils by examining innovative ways of presenting literary texts in the classroom, such as a thematic approach rather than a historical one. The purpose of the course is not only to familiarise Educational Master students with existing research, but also to reflect on possibilities to actually implement the proposed innovative ways to actively engage pupils in reading and discussing literature in the classroom.

This module is offered in combination with a 5 ECTS Masterlanguage course in block 1b. For French: “Un.e auteur.e, une œuvre”; for German: “Literatur, Kultur und Diskurs”; for Spanish: “La imagen del mundo hispánico”. For more information: https://masterlanguage.nl/en/courses/

Students are offered the possibility to write their assignments in the the language of their expertise (French, German, Spanish).

Eurocompetence I (MA, Semester 1, 2025-2026)

The goal of the Eurocompetence module is the promotion of skills that are of particular importance for students’ entrance into the labour market, including language and presentation skills, the capacity for critical (self)-analysis and research, as well as gaining further insights into the specific structures of the EU and EU-related institutions and the dissemination of information on these bodies/organisations (through participation in a 3-day study trip).

This module consists of a variety of workshops which train a diverse range of personal and professional competences, including developing a personal profile, critical argumentation, and self-reflection. Specific attention will also be paid to certain academic competences such as research, writing and presentation skills.

Culture and Context (BA, Semester 2, 2025-2026)

This course is a continuation of the module "Text and Context" offered inthe first semester and intensifies and diversifies connections between contemporary societal challenges and cultural narratives. We introduce you to new core topics of contemporary cultural studies, including construction of (gender) identities, shared European history and colonial practices, displacement, (post-)memory, and artificial intelligence, many of which will be deepened in the further course of your studies. We use literature and other types of cultural narratives as sources of knowledge and of critical discussion about these matters.

Seminars are offered in English and Dutch.

Culture and Literature French 1 (BA, Semester 2, 2025-2026)

In this course we examine literary texts in French by paying particular attention to four genres: prose (the novel, autobiographical writing and autofiction), poetry, theatre and the graphic novel (in French: bande dessinée). You will develop analytical skills by identifying and applying narratological tools and poetic devices which will allow for an in-depth exploration of texts in the four genres and subgenres. You will also situate the texts in their historical, cultural and/or political contexts. By reading excerpts from a variety of books produced by a diverse group of authors you will discover the plentifulness that literature in French has to offer.

This course is offered in French.

European Literatures in a (Dis)Connected World (MA, Semester 2, 2025-2026)

We live in interesting times disrupted by multiple entangled crises of connection, which call for new imaginaries and narratives. We therefore discuss the role of literature in today’s complex society through transnational networks, border crossings and bridge building across diverse cultures. We examine the ways in which literature can connect individuals as well as communities by focusing on the question of how literature can offer new ways of relating with others. The course is organised in three subthemes: a) Migration; b) Modernity and Nostalgia, and c) Postcoloniality/ Decoloniality. For each theme, a variety of cultural and literary texts are analysed with the focus on how they make sense of a world that is divided and polarised on the one hand, and hyper connected on the other. We engage with different theories developed for example in mobility, memory, transnational and decolonial studies, and apply a variety of methodological approaches at an advanced level, including empirical approaches, discourse analysis and social network analysis.

Migrant and Minority Writers (MA, Semester 2, 2025-2026)

In this course we propose to examine theories of mobility and migration in relation to migrant writing and the notion of minority cultures. We are interested in the role of migrant and minority writers as cultural transmitters and bridge builders between cultures. We will contextualize literature of migrant authors from a historical perspective, and compare past migration to current developments and questions. We will also investigate to what extent literature of historical minorities can be contextualized in the same way. In order to define the notion of migrant and minority cultures and to have a critical tool-set ready, we will discuss theoretical texts that focus on a range of concepts, such as: globalisation, transculturality, (de)coloniality, subalternity and intersectionality. We will consider different methodological approaches such as discourse analysis, linguistic self-fashioning, rhetorics and close reading and examine texts written by authors that pinpointed cultural and linguistic minorities in different eras.

Eurocompetence III (MA, Semester 2, 2025-2026)

Continuing with the development of students' professional competences initiated during the courses Eurocompetence I and II, and subsequently continued during the 3rd semester, Eurocompetence III facilitates independent preparation and writing of an appropriate professional grant application. Building on experiences of project management developed in the 2nd semester, students focus on producing a significantly developed project proposal and design. Students will first be introduced to the process and theory of writing project proposals or grant applications. Subsequently, students gain practical experience in writing their own grant applications/project proposals, before finally presenting these proposals before a (mock) panel. Students will also engage in critically and constructively assessing the proposals of their peers. Within the professional track, students gain experience in preparing a grant application as a collaborative, team-based effort, and acquire knowledge and skills in researching and identifying potential sources of funding and meeting the requirements of donors and grant providers.