GI407     
Globalisation, Gender and Development

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Nazanin Shahrokni

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation. This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MiM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MA in Modern History, MPhil/PhD in Gender, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Gender, MSc in Gender (Research), MSc in Gender (Sexuality), MSc in Gender, Policy and Inequalities, MSc in Human Rights and MSc in Human Rights and Politics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course cannot be taken alongside GI409 Gender, Globalisation and Development: An Introduction, or GI420 Globalisation, Gender and Development: Theorising Policy and Practice.

This course will be capped at 30 students.

Course content

This course will provide students with a thorough knowledge of two key interconnected and intersecting literatures: gender and development and gender and globalisation. We   begin by defining and theorising gender, development and globalisation and their operation in material spaces, policy and practice.

The first part of the course considers contemporary theories of globalisation and development and the differences that a gender perspective makes. A particular focus is on how globalisation is associated with widening social, spatial and gender inequalities. Specific reference is made to household inequalities, state policies, global care chain and migrant labourers, the emergence of the “global city,” and “natural” disasters and pandemics, and their implications for social and gender inequalities. The final session brings the issues raised in the first part of the course to a conclusion by addressing some alternative visions of social change in the context of a globalised world.

The second half of the course is concerned with theorising policies and practice in the field of gender and international development.  The course outlines key contributions to the analysis of power within public policy making processes and examines feminist visions of social change which draw on ideas about capabilities, empowerment, citizenship and gender justice to engage with these policy processes.  This is explored in greater detail through case studies of feminist struggles over recognition, redistribution and representation as they play out in relation to particular policy issues, namely violence against women, microfinance, social protection, gender quotas and collective action.

Teaching

This course runs across both MT and LT. It contains both asynchronous and interactive teaching and learning elements.

There will be a reading week in both terms in week 6 in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

Essay (1500 words) in the MT.

Indicative reading


  • Agarwal, B. (2016) Gender Challenges (Vol 1, 2 and 3). India: Oxford University Press.
  • Benería, L. Berik, G and Floro, M.  (2015) Gender, Development and Globalization: Economics as if All people Mattered, London: Routledge. (2nd Edition).
  • Chant, S. (ed.) (2010) International Handbook of Gender and Poverty: Concepts, Research, Policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
  • Cook, S. and Kabeer, N. (2010) Social Protection as Development Strategy, London: Routledge.
  • Cornwall, A., Harrison, E. & Whitehead, A. (eds) (2007) Feminisms in Development: contradictions, contestations, and challenges, London: Zed Books.
  • Cornwall, A.,Edstrom, J. and Greig, A. eds. (2011) Men and Development: Politicising Masculinities, London: Zed Books.
  • Devaki, J. and Elson, D. (2011) Harvesting Feminist Knowledge for Public Policy, IDRC, London: Sage
  • Escobar, A. (2011) Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the Third World, Princeton Princeton University Press
  • Jaggar, A. (2014) Gender and Global Justice, Bristol: Polity
  • Kabeer, N. (2001) The Power to Chose. Bangladeshi women and labour market decisions in London and Dhaka, London: Verso.
  • Kabeer, N. (2003) Gender Mainstreaming in Poverty Eradication and the Millennium Development Goals: a handbook for policy-makers and other stakeholders, London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Marchand, M. and Runyan, A. (2011) Gender and Global Restructuring, second edition London: Routledge.
  • Milanovic, B. (2016) Global Inequality: A New Approach for the Age of Globalization, Harvard: Harvard University Press
  • Mirchandani, K. (2012) Phone Clones. Authenticity Work in the Transnational Service Economy, Ithaca: ILR Press.
  • Ong, A. (2010) Spirits of Resistance and capitalist Discipline, 2nd Edition New York: Suny Press.
  • Patel, R. (2010) Working the Night Shift. Women in India’s Call Centres, Stanford: University Press.
  • Perrons, D. (2004) Globalization and Social Change, London: Routledge.
  • Spierings, N. (2015) Women's employment in Muslim countries: patterns of diversity. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Selwyn, B. (2014) The Global Development Crisis, Cambridge: Polity Press.
  • Stiglitz, J. (2015) The Great Divide. Unequal Societies and What We Can Do About Them, London: Penguin.
  • Visvanathan, N. et.al. (2012) The Women, Gender and Development Reader, London: Zed Books.
  • Walby, S. (2009) Globalisation and inequalities: Complexity and contested modernities. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
  • Walby, S. (2011) The future of feminism. Cambridge: Polity Press.

In addition a range of institutional reports will be referred to including for example

  • IFPRI (2012) Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index, Washington: International Food Policy Research Institute. Available at: http://ebrary.ifpri.org/utils/getfile/collection/p15738coll2/id/126937/filename/127148.pdf.
  • ILO (2015) World Employment and Social Outlook: The Changing Nature of Jobs, Available at: http://www.ilo.org/global/research/global-reports/weso/2015-changing-nature-of-jobs/WCMS_368626/lang--en/index.htm
  • UNDP (2014) Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017. Available at: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-empowerment/gender-equality-strategy-2014-2017/
  • UNDP (2012) Powerful Synergies: Gender Equality, Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability. Available at: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-empowerment/powerful-synergies/
  • UN Women (2015) Progress of the World’s Women. Transforing Economies, Realizing Rights. Available at: http://progress.unwomen.org/en/2015/
  • UNRISD (2015) UNRISD Classics, Volume II: Gendered Dimensions of Development. Available at: http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpPublications)/1585F4AEF409C253C1257E2700652AA8?OpenDocument
  • UNDP (2015) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Geneva: The United Nations. Available at: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/brochure/SDGs_Booklet_Web_En.pdf (Accessed: 4 May 2018).
  • World Bank (2012) World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development. Available at: http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTWDRS/EXTWDR2012/0,,contentMDK:229
  • 99750~menuPK:8154981~pagePK:64167689~piPK:64167673~theSitePK:7778063,00.html

[Note this is an edited collection of classic articles – take a look at these – you may find some on the reading list – but also see the recently written introduction by Silke Staab and Shahra Razavi]


Assessment

Essay (50%, 3000 words) in the LT.
Essay (50%, 3000 words) in the ST.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Student performance results

(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 12.5
Merit 78.3
Pass 8.3
Fail 0.8

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Gender Studies

Total students 2020/21: 34

Average class size 2020/21: 17

Controlled access 2020/21: Yes

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills