Honours/MA in Gender Politics

Contact: Lubna Nadvi: lubna@mweb.co.za,
University of Durban-Westville http://www.udw.ac.za/

A one year honours or two-year masters programme, comprised of equal (50%) portions of research and course-work in which students must complete four modules in the first year, two courses in the first half of the second year. In the second half of year two students must complete a research project/mini-dissertation of 15-20 000 words. All course modules will carry a weighting of 30 credit points (CPS) while the research project will have a 60 credit point weighting. Assessment in each course module will be determined on a 50:50 ratio of course-work to examinations.

All core modules must be passed; if failed they may be repeated once only.

1. Core Modules

• Research Methods - A basic research methods module, looking at qualitative and quantitative methods of collecting and analysing data.

• Advanced Research Methods - An advanced and sophisticated approach to data collection and analysis.

• Feminist Theory and Politics - An examination of the major Feminist Theories that have influenced and shaped the political activism of the Feminist movement. This course will undertake both a historical, as well as a contemporary look at how Feminism has emerged and developed, and the ways in which it impacts on current trends in societies, throughout the world. Outcome: A sophisticated and deeper understanding of Feminist Theory, and how this relates to a practical awareness of feminist politics.

• Gender and Society - This module examines the construction and articulation of gender roles, and the various ways in which these have influenced socio-economic and political perceptions of notions such as empowerment, sexuality, domestic violence, etc. The course encompasses theories from both male and female gender perspectives, as well as taking into account other facets of gender identity, such as homosexuality and bi-sexuality. Outcome: A sound grasp of the theories and issues that impact on concerns surrounding gender, as well as a progressive understanding of how gender has been both an oppressive as well as a liberating dimension of social existence.

• Research Project - The production of an original research essay of approximately 12-15 000 words. The research component of the programme is comprised of the two courses in research methods and the research essay

2. Electives

Students must select two courses from the list below, for an MA, or one to complete an Honours degree.

a) Courses offered by the School of Governance

• Women and the State - This module will examine the role that the State has played in shaping and influencing the identity of women in the modern state-system. It will explore both Western and non-Western traditions as regards the political as well as social roles conferred upon women in either of these systems. Outcomes: A clearer understanding of the interaction between national / state systems, and the ways in which these have historically regulated women's lives, as well as the ways in which they continue to do so.

• Gender and Public Policy - An examination of how public policies, devised by state and other social institutions have impacted on the social and political rights of women, and how the construction of gender roles has translated into the entrenchment of institutional patriarchy. Outcomes: A more meaningful and progressive understanding of how Public Policy has developed as regards the development and political empowerment of women, as well as the historical role it has played in their oppression.

• Women and International Politics - An exposure to both the historical and contemporary roles that women have played in the arena of International Politics. This module will also examine some of the major international political events of this century, and explore how these have impacted on the lives of women globally, especially since the demise of the Cold War. Outcomes: A deeper understanding and knowledge of the ways in which, international politics has been shaped by both men and women, and how it is that women are creating new ways of thinking around current global issues.

• Feminist Philosophy - An exposure to the main Feminist philosophers and how it is that Feminist philosophy as a stream of Feminist thought has shed light on major social issues and articulated new and progressive ways of thinking around notions such as freedom, equality and justice. Outcomes: A sound grasp of the main feminist theories and how these relate in a practical manner to social problems.

• Gender and Globalisation - An examination of globalisation as a phenomenon and the manner in which it has radically transformed the face of contemporary global politics. This will be done in relation to looking at how globalisation has impacted on not only women but Third World communities, which are constituted largely of women. The module will take into consideration the economic as well the political and social impact of globalisation. Outcomes: A firm grasp of the workings of globalisation as a phenomenon, and its effects, especially on global economies.

b) Selected Issues

An examination of various themes and issues, to be selected by the course co-ordinator. Not all themes will be offered in any one particular year. Themes offered within the Selected Issues Module:

• Gender and the African Renaissance - A closer look at the notion of the African Renaissance as conceptualised by popular discourse and its relationship to women, and gender issues. It will in particular, examine whether the African Renaissance has been conceived as a gender sensitive notion or merely a political one. This theme will also look at Africanist theory in terms of culture, tradition and ritual. Outcome: A deeper understanding of contemporary as well as historical notions around African culture and the motivation for the African Renaissance.

• Gender and Technology - This theme will examine how technologies have influenced and shaped the development of women, in particular looking at the Internet as a new medium for the articulation of feminist politics. It will also take a general look at other fields such as science and engineering, and the ways in which these have empowered women. Outcomes: A clearer understanding of the various technologies available, which have become mediums for feminist activism and development.

• Gender Construction and the Media - This theme will explore the role that the media, both print and electronic, has played in constructing gender roles and identities, in society. It will focus, in particular, on the ways in which it has effectively created particular identities for both men and women, via the production of magazines and movies, which reflect specific modes of being. It will also however, take a closer look at how the media itself, has in contemporary times, become a medium for challenging the very stereotypes, that it was initially responsible for creating. Outcomes: A deeper understanding of the impact of media in constructing gender roles.

• Gender and Traditional Cultures - An exposure to a selected list of traditional - cultures, which reflect the differences in the articulation of gender roles and practices. In particular it will take a closer look at African culture, and the ways in which this tradition has understood gender, and some of the changes it is undergoing with regards to the laws which regulate traditional customs, especially in South Africa. Outcomes: A sound comparative grasp of various cultures, and how these relate to gender issues and each other.

• Gender and Patriarchy - This module will examine in greater detail the notion of Patriarchy, and how this concept has impacted on gender relations, as well as the emancipation of women. It will also conduct a brief comparative study of selected traditions that perceive patriarchy in slightly different ways, and how these impact on the daily lives of women, in these particular cultures. Outcomes: A sound understanding of the notion of Patriarchy as a social institution and its effects.

• Women and Civil Society - This theme will conduct an examination of how civil society in both Western and non-Western traditions reflects the articulation of the citizenship of women. It will look at a few selected case-studies to illustrate how women have fought for both their own civil right rights as well as engaged in national and international campaigns to allow oppressed communities access to their fundamental rights as citizens. Outcomes: To demonstrate a solid understanding of issues relating to civil society and citizenship, and the ways in which these interact with gender concerns.

• Gender and Religion - An examination of the major religious traditions, and the manner in which institutional religion has impacted on the progression and development of women, in various ways. It will also take a closer look at how some religious traditions misuse religious scriptures to prevent the advancement of women, as well as focus on those traditions that attempt to liberate women from their cultural oppressions. Outcomes: To develop a sound understanding of the various religious traditions and how these impact on and reflect on issues surrounding gender.

• Gender and the Environment - This theme examines the various concerns of environmentalists, especially from a feminist perspective. It focuses on how the misuse, poor management and destruction of natural resources, through wars, and other forms of violence and exploitation, are creating the climate for an unstable environment, which ultimately impacts on the health and well-being of humanity in general, especially children. Outcomes: To demonstrate a clear grasp of environmental issues, and how feminist theories relate to such concerns, as well as the political aspect of lobbying around environmental issues.

c) Modules offered outside the School of Governance

Students also have the option of choosing any suitable module from outside the School of Governance, which is being offered by other schools in any Faculty, subject to the discretion of the School Director and Dean of the Faculty.

3. Language Requirement

Students will have the option of including amongst their electives a course in one of the major national or international languages in order to develop a speaking proficiency in that language.

4. Honours Degree

Students will have an exit option at the end of year one. Provided a satisfactory performance in the four first year courses is attained, the student may be awarded an Honours Degree.