Time Schedule:
Priti Ramamurthy
ANTH 345
Seattle Campus
Questions how women are affected by economic development in Third World and celebrates redefinitions of what development means. Theoretical perspectives and methods to interrogate gender and development policies introduced. Current processes of globalization and potential for changing gender and economic inequalities assessed. Offered: jointly with SIS 345/WOMEN 345.
Class description
This course is located at the crossroads of two fields: feminism and development studies. It is organized in five units. The first unit will provide an introduction to the main concepts of the course. Regional trends in gender and economic development and the measurement of development and its effects on women will be the topics of critical discussion. We will also compare "reality" with "representation" of "Third World" women. The second unit of the course is on theories of gender and development. The theoretical and ideological underpinnings of different theories of development will be discussed. In the third unit the connections between patriarchy, the state, and development will be mapped looking at specific policies and programs. The roles of the state, NGOs, feminist and women's groups in designing, shaping and implementing policies and programs will be explored in the context of (i) the food crisis and poverty and (ii) health, population and reproductive rights. The fourth unit is on gender and development in the context of globalization and Structural Adjustment Policies. The focus of this unit is current processes of economic re-structuring in both the "Third World" and here in the U.S. The fifth unit is on cartographies of "development"; it focuses on grassroots conceptions of development and those of policy planners using gender-sensitive policy frameworks.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
The course is designed as part lecture and part discussion. Participants will be required to do the assigned readings and come to class prepared to critique, discuss, elaborate, and synthesize the arguments made. Group work outside of class time before the exams and assignment is encouraged.
Recommended preparation
Previous familiarity with feminism and issues concerning international politics and economics are recommended but not absolutely necessary. We will be going over basic concepts in feminism and international political economy at the beginning of the course.
Class assignments and grading
Exams will be take-homes. They will be text and lecture based and designed to encourage students to engage critically with and synthesize course materials. The assignment will be based on applying learning to quantitative and/or textual data.
Grading for the course will be as follows: Attendance, Class participation: 20% Exams: 60% Assignment: 20%
