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.