Signing up for the status quo? : Semiological analyses of sexual harassment in higher education - a Swedish example

• This paper explores the effects of certain discourses on sexual harassment in a Swedish higher education setting. Using a semiological perspective the notions of existence, range, prevention and stability are analysed in order to demonstrate the way they aim at signifying a limited and, from a bureaucratic point of view, legitimate reality of sexual harassment. The empirical material partly consists of public policies, legal documents and research reports on sexual harassment in higher education, and partly of fourteen semi-structured interviews with equal opportunities practitioners responsible for implementing equality legislation at a Swedish university.Theoretically, this text presents a semiological view on the construction of sexual harassment in public texts and ordinary speech by analysing the use of language and the internal and external relations of signs. By focusing simultaneously on the stable and variable aspects of the sign, interpretations of the specific notions of limitation, variability and experience are put forward as critical tools aimed at changing normative views on sexual harassment.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Genusstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Gender Studies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Sexuella trakasserier

universitet

genus

semiologi

Gender studies

Genus

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)