DEV40020 Gender and Development

Academic Year 2023/2024

This postgraduate-level module, "Gender and Development," delves deep into the intricate relationship between gender dynamics and socio-economic development. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a holistic understanding of the role of gender in shaping developmental trajectories and outcomes, encompassing a range of multidimensional topics. At its core, the module aligns with the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), emphasising gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

The module delves into gender mainstreaming, exploring its application in policy and practice, underlining the necessity of integrating gender considerations throughout developmental projects and policies. A dedicated segment will investigate the far-reaching consequences of gender-based violence on development, encompassing domestic violence, harmful traditional practices, and more. The pivotal role of men and boys in gender equality will be dissected, examining strategies to involve them as allies and reshape cultural narratives.

Students will explore the transformative potential and challenges of development finance, with a particular emphasis on microfinance and digital finance, and how these tools can catalyse or hinder gender-equitable outcomes. Reproductive health will be studied, focusing on maternal health and the often-overlooked issue of menstrual poverty, highlighting their implications for women's well-being and societal progress. Intersectionality and its implications for development will be a crucial theme, acknowledging the compounding effects of overlapping identities, such as race, class, and ethnicity, on gender dynamics.

Additionally, the influence of technology on gender dynamics will be discussed, shedding light on both its empowering potential and the risks it poses. Lastly, the module will incorporate an exploration of climate change's gendered impacts, elucidating how women's roles and vulnerabilities are uniquely affected by environmental challenges.

Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and discussions, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to critically analyse, engage with, and shape the evolving discourse on gender and 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.

Indicative Module Content:

Here is an indicative list of topics for this module:

1) Introduction to Gender and Development:
- Historical overview of gender's role in development
- Contemporary intersections of gender and socio-economic development

2) Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5):
- Principles and objectives of SDG5
- Progress, challenges, and implications for gender equality and empowerment

3) Development Finance and Gender:
- Introduction to development finance
- Role of microfinance in promoting gender equality
- Digital finance: Opportunities and barriers for women

4) Reproductive Health:
- Overview of reproductive health issues and their importance
- Maternal health: Global trends, challenges, and best practices
- Menstrual poverty: Understanding its societal implications and addressing barriers

5) Intersectionality and Development:
- Foundations of intersectionality theory
- Real-world implications: How race, class, ethnicity, etc., intersect with gender in development

6) Gender Mainstreaming in Policy and Practice:
- Introduction to gender mainstreaming
- Case studies: Successful and failed attempts at integrating gender into development projects and policies

7) Intra-household Bargaining and Family Dynamics:
- Exploring power relations within the household.
- Decision-making processes and their implications for developmental outcomes.
- Economic implications and labor market participation within household contexts.

8) Gender-based Violence (GBV) and Development:
- Scope, causes, and consequences of GBV
- Impact of GBV on economic growth, health, education, and societal cohesion

9) Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality:
- The role of men and boys in the gender equality discourse
- Strategies to reshape cultural narratives and promote positive male involvement

10) Technology's Influence on Gender Dynamics:
- The digital gender divide: Understanding the gaps
- Opportunities and challenges posed by technology for women's empowerment

11) Climate Change, Gender, and Resilience:
- Understanding the gendered impacts of climate change
- Strategies for building gender-inclusive environmental resilience

These topics provide a structured pathway to navigate the multifaceted realm of gender and development, allowing for both breadth and depth in discussions, readings, and assessments.





Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

228
Total

250
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
Examination: End of year exam. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

65
Continuous Assessment: Includes class participation and individual presentations, where students engage with an iconic reading on a specific Gender and Development topic, fostering critical discussion and comprehension. Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

35

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 17:00 - 17:50
Spring