IDM012-Gender and Development

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Sarah Cardey
Email: s.p.cardey@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Examine how gendered roles and perspectives influence development outcomes. Explore the specific ways in which underdevelopment and the process of achieving greater social and economic security may be experienced differently by women and men. Evaluate theories and methods of analysing gendered aspects of development and learn how these may be used in policy formulation and project design. Learn through a combination of lectures, guided preparatory readings, and student-led group discussions.

Aims:
This module will examine the ways in which gendered roles and perspectives influence development outcomes. Studying development through a gendered lens requires the student to investigate the organisation and distribution of power within a society, across societies, and within institutions. Therefore, this is not only a module about women in development; it is about the specific ways in which underdevelopment and the process of achieving greater social and economic security may be experienced differently by women and men. Participants will be introduced to theories and methods of analyzing gendered aspects of development and how they may be used in policy formulation and project design.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Understand the historical and cultural origins of ‘gender’ as a sociological/political concept and tool of analysis


• Discuss and critically compare, with reference to their underlying theoretical and conceptual bases, some of the broad development approaches adopted by institutions to meet the particular needs of men and women


• Evaluate major development debates from gendered and feminist perspectives


• Recognise the primary ways in which gender analysis can be used to disaggregate issues such as poverty, vulnerability and human rights

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to develop research, writing and critical evaluation skills.

Outline content:

The module will involve exploration of the following broad themes:

• Emergence of gender as concept in development policy and practice


• The inequality of women as an issue for development intervention In addition, participants will explore more specific themes of current concern debate. The following list is indicative of the kind of issues that may be covered:
  
  
  
  • Gender and the environment
  
  
  • Masculinities in development
  
  
  • Disability, gender and development
  
  
  • HIV/AIDS and gender
  
  
  • Gender and poverty
  
  
  • Gender and empowerment
  
  
  • Sexuality/sexualities in development
  
  
  • Gender frameworks and planning
  
  
  
  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Sessions will primarily involve lectures and structured student-led group discussions. Sessions may also include guest speakers, use of video material and workshop activities. There will be additional reading for participants to do in their own time.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The Module will be assessed by two pieces of coursework:One 1) A critical reading assignment of 1000 – 1500 words (maximum) due mid-term (40%) 2) A 2000-2500 word (maximum) essay due in the first week of Spring term (60%). 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
An essay of between 2,500 and 3,000 words, on a topic selected from a list of three.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books:


2. Specialist equipment or materials:


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:


4. Printing and binding:


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification:


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 30 March 2023