Describe the diversity of gender roles, relations and identities across various social, political, and economic contexts, as well as the intersectionality between gender and other forms of social identity, such as age, race, social class, etc.

Assignment Question

Description of Assignment: Students will submit an individual essay . This is an opportunity for students to explore specific theories of gender and development that are of most interest to them.

The essay can review existing research or it can draw on primary data. Whatever the topic of the essay is, it should pose a question that it answers with some type of argument (e.g. not just describe, but analyse). The paper should be minimum of 2,500 words (excluding reference list). For a review of existing research, you could, for example, focus on a particular gender and development intervention (e.g. microfinance, cash transfers, entrepreneurship training) and discuss debates around how effective these approaches have been. Or you could discuss a methodological or theoretical debate within gender and development (e.g. North-South power imbalances, how to measure empowerment, etc). An example of a paper based on primary data is to use a discursive politics lens to analyse a government or NGO gender and development programme, drawing text from policy documents, reports, an organisation’s website and social media, etc. These sources may be of use in gathering information for your paper.

https://www.genderindex.org/Links to an external site. https://www.unwomen.org/Links to an external site. https://eige.europa.eu/Links to an external site. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/thematic-composite-indices/gender-inequality-index#/indicies/GIILinks to an external site. Links to an external site.

BE AWARE: There is a lot of outdated and inaccurate information about gender inequality on the internet. Only read and include reputable and recent online sources. Please contact me if you are unsure about any data or commentary you have found online. Learning Outcome(s) Assessed: Describe the diversity of gender roles, relations and identities across various social, political, and economic contexts, as well as the intersectionality between gender and other forms of social identity, such as age, race, social class, etc. Apply relevant theories and concepts in the field of Gender and Development to an analysis of gendered social identities and how gender identities are constructed and enacted in a context of gender inequality, discrimination and poverty.

Analyse and evaluate how processes of development and social change can happen in both public and private institutions, as well as through the actions of empowered groups and individuals, to promote gender equality and human rights.

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