DEV30010 Sustainable Development through the Lens of Gender

Academic Year 2024/2025

This undergraduate-level module, "Sustainable Development through the Lens of Gender," provides a comprehensive examination of how gender influences and shapes sustainable development outcomes. It aims to offer students a nuanced understanding of gender roles in developmental processes, with a strong focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), which emphasizes gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

The course explores the concept of gender mainstreaming, examining its practical application within development policies and projects. Students will study the profound impact of gender-based violence on development, including issues like domestic violence and harmful traditional practices, and analyze the critical role men and boys play in promoting gender equality and transforming societal norms.

Key topics include the intersection of development finance and gender, with a focus on microfinance and digital finance solutions and their effects on gender equity. The module also covers reproductive health, specifically maternal health and menstrual poverty, and their broader social implications. A significant emphasis is placed on intersectionality, considering how race, class, and ethnicity intersect with gender to affect developmental outcomes.

The impact of technology on gender dynamics and the specific challenges posed by climate change to women's roles and vulnerabilities will also be discussed. Through lectures, case studies, and interactive discussions, the module equips students with the skills to critically engage with and influence discussions on gender and sustainable development.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students can expect to acquire skills in several domains:

- Understanding of Key Concepts: Upon completion, students will have a comprehensive understanding of pivotal concepts, such as intersectionality, gender mainstreaming, gender-based violence, and the gendered impacts of technology and climate change.

- Critical Analysis: Students will be able to critically analyse the historical and contemporary intersections of gender with development, recognizing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within various contexts.

- Policy Evaluation: Students will be equipped to evaluate the efficacy of development policies and projects, discerning the degree to which they address gender disparities and promote gender equity.

- Application of Development Finance Tools: Students will be proficient in understanding and recommending appropriate financial tools, like microfinance and digital finance, in advancing gender-equitable outcomes in different developmental settings.

- Design and Implementation: Students will be adept at designing gender-inclusive interventions and strategies, ensuring that both men and women's perspectives are integrated at all stages.

- Research Skills: By the end of the module, students should be able to conduct independent research, utilizing a range of methodologies to explore gender and development topics, culminating in evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.

- Communication Skills: Students will be able to articulate complex gender and development issues both in written form and orally, catering their discourse to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

- Collaborative Working: Students will have honed their collaborative skills, appreciating the value of diverse perspectives and working efficiently in group settings to address gender and development challenges.

- Ethical Considerations: Graduates will be sensitive to ethical considerations in gender and development, ensuring that interventions and research are conducted with respect, transparency, and an aim towards equitable outcomes.

- Engagement with Real-world Scenarios: Students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, formulating strategies and solutions to address gender disparities in various developmental contexts.

- Global and Cultural Awareness: Participants will be attuned to the global and cultural nuances of gender roles, rights, and challenges, fostering an appreciation for diversity and the imperative to adapt strategies to specific cultural and regional contexts.

Upon completing this module, students will be empowered with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to become proactive contributors to the ongoing discourse and actions surrounding gender and development.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

183
Total

205
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
An integrative approach to teaching and learning will be used to ensure that students not only acquire knowledge but also develop skills for critical thinking, application, and collaboration. The main approach will include

- Lectures: Traditional lecture sessions will introduce students to core concepts, theories, and historical contexts. These will set the foundation for deeper exploration in subsequent learning formats.

- Enquiry & Problem-Based Learning: Students will be presented with real-world problems or case studies related to gender and development and will be tasked with proposing solutions, allowing them to integrate and apply their learning.

- Case-Based Learning: In-depth exploration of specific cases, both historical and contemporary, will allow students to dissect real-world scenarios, identify challenges and successes, and relate theoretical knowledge to actual events.

- Peer and Group Work: Collaborative projects will foster teamwork and expose students to diverse perspectives, reflecting the multifaceted nature of gender and development issues.

- Critical Writing: Assignments, essays, and journaling will encourage students to critically assess readings, discussions, and lectures, promoting a deeper understanding and the development of argumentation skills.

- Reflective Learning: Students will be encouraged to participate in reflection tasks, such as personal journals or e-portfolios to enable them to consider their learning journey, understand the evolution of their perspectives, and identify areas for further exploration.

- Student Presentations & Debates: Individual or group presentations will encourage students to delve deep into specific topics, enhancing their research, synthesis, and public speaking skills. Students will also be encourage to organise debates on contentious topics to foster critical thinking, argumentation, and the ability to consider and counter opposing viewpoints.

- Guest Speakers and Panel Discussions: Inviting experts in the field will expose students to current industry perspectives, challenges, and innovations.

- Field Trips and Experiential Learning: If feasible, visits to NGOs, microfinance institutions, or communities can provide first-hand experience and insights into the realities of gender and development.

- Interactive Media and Digital Tools: Utilising documentaries, podcasts, online simulations, and other digital media will cater to various learning styles and provide diverse perspectives on issues.

By employing a combination of these approaches, the module will cater to diverse learning preferences, ensuring an engaging, informative, and transformative educational experience for students. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Participation in Learning Activities: This component assesses active participation in learning activities, including consistent attendance, engagement in class discussions, and collaborative peer interaction during presentations. n/a Graded No

20
Exam (Online): Final exam assessing deep knowledge of the topics covered in class through short answers and essays, focusing on analysis and application of key concepts learned.





 n/a Graded No

50
Group Work Assignment: Groups will explore a specific topic, crafting a presentation to illustrate their findings and proposed solutions, presented in class for peer and module teacher feedback. n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.