Course Description
Analysis of diverse social and cultural manifestations of gender and its relationship to social, economic, political, and ideological spheres. Case studies may be drawn from Latin America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Athena Title
GLOBAL GENDER
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will acquire conceptual tools for the analysis of gender in comparative perspective Students will understand and apply theories explaining gender differences and critique their applicability for global contexts. Students will analyze similarities and differences in the construction of gender across cultures and societies. Students will examine case studies of gender activism across various contexts. Students will be expected to demonstrate that they have acquired these skills through active seminar participation, and ultimately, through the completion of an independent research paper focusing on course-related issues in one country or region.
Topical Outline
I.What is gender? Key concepts for the analysis of Gender in Comparative Perspective II.Femininities, Masculinities, Homosexuality, Co- and Third Genders III. Gender Differences in Development A. Indicators B. Structural Adjustment C. Health, education, work, family, land IV. Theories for understanding cross-cultural gender differences V. Gender issues and social movements A.Activism around development issues -- motherhood/family survival as motive for activism B.Gender and war,political violence, and revolution C.Gender and Religious Fundamentalism D.Feminism and the Third World E.Gender Activism on the Political Right VII. Globalization; transnational feminism