Gender Issues in Development

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

Students enrolling in this subject must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

As a fundamental cross-cutting theme in development theory and practice today, gender perspectives and practices have moved significantly from the political and economic empowerment strategies of feminist activism in the 1970s. What began as a concern with women's ongoing discrimination and disadvantage and the lack of visibility of women and their particular needs from development became a broader concern with the nature of relations between men and women. The subject will review shifts in gender theories and practices since the 1950s with a focus on contemporary actions and approaches, feminist critiques, and the embedding of gender in practices of development agencies, international organisations, non-government organisations and state level actors. Drawing on scholarship in development studies, sociology and anthropology, the subject will make use of case studies in the developing world in its examination of key concepts and tools such as ‘gendered division of labour,’ ‘gender sensitiveness,’ ‘gender mainstreaming,’ and ‘gender analysis.’ We will also discuss important themes in the gender and development literature such as power and inequalities, economic development and poverty, resources allocations and entitlements, marrige and family, sexualities, masculinities, childhood and HIV/AIDS.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to:

• have a stong grasp of key concepts relating to gender and development;
• understand the principles underlying certain development issues relating to gender;
• be aware of gender analysis frameworks and tools that can be applied to promote gender awareness and eradicate gender inequities in development interventions;
• be able to carry out gender analysis of contemporary issues in development.

A 1000 word proposal (20%) due during semester, a 1000 word group presentation (20%) due during semester, and a 3000 word final essay (60%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A reading list will be provided by the subject coordinator

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.