131-038 Gender and Development

Formerly available as 131-227/327. Students who have completed 131-227 or 131-327 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is a core subject for the interdepartmental program in gender studies. This subject may also be taken as part of the interdepartmental program in Asian studies or Development studies.

Fifty points of first year from any area of study within the Faculty of Arts.

Feminist critiques of development are concerned with the way mainstream development strategies and projects have had a negative impact on the lives and welfare of women. In some cases, the very development projects introduced by 'developing countries' to improve the welfare of their population have led to a visible decline in women's level of autonomy and well-being. This subject examines key concepts and debates in the feminist critique of development, with reference to case studies drawn primarily from Asia. Students evaluate feminist criticisms of broad development strategies (such as growth-led developmental economics, agricultural modernisation and industrialisation) as well as smaller, community-based development projects. Students are also asked to review future feminist engagements with development in the light of environmental and postcolonial critiques.

Class participation and written work totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.