UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
M.A .DEGREE COURSE IN WOMEN'S STUDIES
CHOICE-BASED CREDIT SYSTEM
DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
REGULATIONS
(With effect from the academic year 2016–17)
1. CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION
Any Bachelor (Under-graduate) Degree holder of the University of Madras or any other
University or a qualification accepted by the Syndicate of this University as equivalent
thereto.
2. DURATION OF THE COURSE
The course of the Degree of Master of Arts in Women's Studies shall consist of four
semesters over two academic years. Each semester will have a minimum of 90 working
days and each day will have five working hours. Teaching is organized into a modular
pattern of credit courses. Credit is normally related to the number of instructional hours a
teacher teaches a particular subject. It is also related to the number of hours a student
spends learning a subject or carrying out an activity.
3. EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION
3.1.Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)
• Sessional Test I will be conducted during the sixth week of each semester for the
syllabus covered till then.
• Sessional Test II will be conducted during the eleventh week of each semester for the
syllabus covered between the seventh and eleventh week of that semester.
• Sessional tests (of one to two hours duration) may employ one or more assessment
tools such as assignments and seminars suitable to the subject. Students will be
informed in advance about the nature of the assessment and shall have to
compulsorily attend the two sessional tests, failing which they will not be allowed to
appear for the End-semester examination.
• Each Sessional test will carry 40% (20%+20%) of total marks for the subject. The
marks of the two Sessional tests shall be taken into account for the computation of
Grade.
3.2.End-Semester Examination (ESE)
• End-Semester Examinations will be conducted at the end of each of the four semesters
for each subject covering the entire syllabus prescribed for the course.
• The examinations will be of three hour duration carrying 60% marks.
• The first semester examination will be conducted in the middle of the first academic
year and the second semester examination at the end of the first academic year.
Similarly, the third semester examination will be conducted in the middle of the
second academic year and the fourth semester examination at the end of the second
academic year respectively.
• A candidate who does not pass an examination in any subject(s) in any
semester will be permitted to appear for such failed subject(s) along with the
papers of the following semesters.
• End-semester examination will be in the form of viva-voce for Internship and
Dissertation.
3.3.Allocation of Marks
• Continuous Internal Assessment
• End-Semester Examination
=
=
40 marks
60 marks
3.4.End-semester Evaluation Pattern for Internship
• Report
• Attendance
• Viva-voce
Total
=
=
=
=
40 marks
20 marks
40 marks
100 marks
3.5.End-semester Evaluation Pattern for Dissertation
• Internal
• External
Total
=
=
=
40 marks
60 marks
100 marks
3.6.Passing Minimum
• No passing minimum is stipulated for the Continuous Internal Assessments.
• For the End-Semester Examinations, the required minimum aggregate of external and
internal marks is 50% for each paper, project work and viva-voce, to pass in that
subject. A candidate who has not secured a minimum of 50% marks in a subject shall
be deemed to have failed in that subject.
4. ELIGIBILITY FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE
A candidate becomes eligible for the award of the degree of M.A. Degree in Women's
Studies subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions:
• Completes the Post-graduate course of study in Women's Studies offered by the
Department of Women Studies over the period of four semesters (that is, two years
full-time) and has earned 91 credits.
• Passes all the theory examinations, completes the internship and prescribed projects.
• Completes four courses on Soft Skills, earning a total of eight credits over the period
of two years (that is, one course earning two credits per semester).
• Meets all other requirements as prescribed by the Board of Studies in Women's
Studies of the University of Madras at the time of admission and the amendments
included in the regulations by the Board of Studies in Women's Studies and the
Academic Council from time to time.
5. COURSE OF STUDY
The course of the study for the four semesters shall be as follows:
Syllabus
Course Code
Title of the Course
C/E/S/I
Credits
C
4
Evolution of Family, Social Structures and C
Institutions
4
Women in Indian Literature and Culture
C
4
Women and Wellness
C
4
Elective I – Introduction to Women and Gender E
Studies
3
Elective II
E
3
Soft Skill I
S
2
Gender Sensitisation and Resolving Gender C
Conflict
4
Women in Literature, Media and Arts
C
4
Gender Based Violence and Laws
C
4
Men in Feminism
C
4
Elective III –Key Concepts and Issues in Gender E
Studies
3
Semester I
Introduction to Feminist Theories
Semester II
Course Code
Title of the Course
C/E/S/I
Credits
Elective IV
E
3
Soft Skill II
S
2
Internship
I
2
Basics of Research Methodology
C
4
Gender in Historical and Religious Thought
C
4
Gender, Language and Etiquette
C
4
Life Narratives of Women in Science
C
4
Elective V – Status of Women in India Through E
the Ages
3
Elective VI – Preparatory Course in Women's E
Studies for Competitive Exams
3
Soft Skill III
S
2
Education, Employment and Empowerment
C
4
Dissertation & Viva Voce
C
4+4=8
Semester III
Semester IV
Elective VII – Evolution of Women’s Writing in E
India
3
Soft Skill IV
2
S
Total Credits
91
Semester I
Core I – Introduction to Feminist Theories
Unit I- Overview of Classical Theories
Background to feminism/s - Marxism/ Socialism - Psychoanalytic theory - Postcolonial
theory – Post-modernism - Eco-criticism
Unit II- Waves and Schools of Feminism
First, second and third waves of feminism - Radical feminism - Liberal/ Cultural feminism Marxist / Socialist feminism - Psychoanalytic approach to feminism - Care focused approach
to feminism - Postcolonial feminism - Postmodern feminism / Global feminism, Third world
feminism - Eco feminism/ Gender and development
Unit III- Women’s/ Gender Terms and Concepts
Patriarchy - Gender Roles - Gender Mainstreaming - Performing Gender – Intersectionality –
Positionality – Perspectives – Stereotyping - Feminism and Feminazism - Feminization of
Poverty - Five Sexes - The Other – Agency – Empowerment - Gender Continuum – LGBT
Unit IV- Structural and Philosophical Background to Feminist ideologies
Moral theory - Normative theory – Vulnerability - Human Rights - Equality and Equity Ecofeminism and Development from Gender Perspective
Unit V- Limitations and Scope of the existing body of Feminist theories and ideologies
Feminist Ideologies – Mainstream feminism, feminism from the margins, white feminism,
black feminism, Indian feminism – Importance of interdisciplinary/ multidisciplinary
approach to feminism – Limitations and scope for research using perspectives of feminism
References:
Cixous, Helene. 1981.“The Laugh of the Medusa” in New French Feminisms, Ed. Elaine
Marks & Isabella Courtviron. New York: Schocken Books.
DeBeauvoir, Simone. 1961. The Second Sex. New York: Bantam.
Friedan, Betty. 1963. The Feminine Mystique. USA: W W Norton & Co.
Hughes, Christiana. 2002. Key Concepts in Feminist Theory and Research. London: Sage.
Millet, Kate. 1970. Sexual Politics. USA: Doubleday & Co.
Putnam Tong, Rosemarie. 2013. Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction.
Westview.
Showalter, Elaine. 1979. Towards a Feminist Poetics.
Warhol- Down, Robyn & Diane Price-Herndel. 1997. Feminisms: An Anthology of Literary
Theory and Criticism. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
Core II – Evolution of Family, Social Structures and Institutions
Unit I – Roles of Women in Family and Society
Archeology of the evolution of women’s role - Gender roles in the domestic sphere - Kitchen
space feminism - Gender roles in the social sphere - Matriarchy and Matrilineal societies
Unit II – Feminist Schools of Thought
Background to Material feminism - Women’s labour and wages within various structures of
the society - Gender and class conflicts in society - Urban/ Rural/ Margin conflicts within
feminism
Unit III – Women/ Gender within the Private and Public Spheres
Being the ‘Other’ - Spaces - Personal/ Private and Intimate space/ Domestic space of a
woman - Social politics – Class, Caste, Race, Urban/Rural Politics - Institutional politics –
Gender roles within private spheres – Social/Civic code and conduct
Unit IV – Role Playing and Performativity
Gender roles and Normative Theory - ‘Being’ and ‘Doing’ - Self empowerment and Agency Appropriating the Gender – The Politics and Ethics of it - Culture-Specific Societal, Familial
and Institutional norms and conditions
Unit V – Anthropological Enquiry of Gender Roles for Development
Socio-cultural Practices such as Dowry, Female Infanticide, Foeticide, Abortion, Sex
selective abortion, etc - Overcoming Gender Biases and Gender Restrictions - Importance of
Women’s roles for Development within the domestic and social spheres - Gender Based
Development - Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusive approach towards Development
References:
Agarwal, Suresh. 2015. Social Problems in India. New Delhi: Rajat Publications.
Daly, Mary. Beyond God the Father.
Mitchell, J. 1975. Women in a Man Made World. Chicago: Rand McNally & Co.
Scott, John (ed). 2006. Sociology: The Key Concepts. New York: Routledge.
Shenoy-Packer, Suchitra. 2014. Society, Socialization and Agency: India’s Working Women
and Career Discourses. United Kingdom: Lexington Books.
Core III – Women in Indian Literature and Culture
Unit I Early Phase of Women’s Movement in India
19th Century representation of women - Participation of women in social reform movements Women’s representation in national freedom movement [Gandhi and Bose’s army] - Women
representation in Karachi Congress Resolution, 1931 - Participation in left organisations
Unit II Women in Post-colonial India
Feminism in modern India - Dalit women and the question of double marginality - Women’s
participation in public sphere - Caste system and challenges to feminism
Unit III Socio-economic Conditions Influencing Cultural Representation of Women
Women’s liberation pre- and post-independence in society - Privileged women due to caste
system and financial status - Micro finance revolution and economic empowerment Working class women, labour laws and wages - Gender division of labour
Unit IV Role of Women in Tamil Nadu
Representation of women in the Dravidian movement - Tamil Nadu Women’s Forum
(TNWF) - Women’s movement against violence, foeticide and infanticide – National/ State
Commissions for Women - Ministry of Women and Child Development – recent trends
Unit V Social Reformers who Redefined Women’s Status in India
Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Easwar Chandra Vidya Sagar; Sarojini Naidu and Durga Bai; B.
R. Ambedkar and Pandita Rama Bai; Bharathiyar and Bharathidasan; E.V. Ramasamy
References:
Ananta Raman, Sita. 2009. Women in India: A Social and Cultural History -Volume 2.
California: ABC Clio LLC.
Arora, Neha. 2015. Society, Culture and Social Change. New Delhi: Rajat Publications.
Shinde, Shobha P. 2014. The Social Reform Movement and the Nationalist Movement in the
Context of Indian Feminism. New Delhi: Cyber Tech Publication.
Spivak, Gayatri Chakraborty. “Can the Subaltern Speak?”
Tharu, Susie and K. Lalitha (ed). 1991&1993. Women Writing in India, 2 Vols. New Delhi:
Oxford University Press.
Core IV – Women and Wellness
Unit I– Physical Health
Woman’s Physical composition and the Body image - Reproductive health - Hormonal cycle
and its Psycho-somatic implications - Sexual Health - Child birth, Child care, lactation and
child care
Unit II – Psychological Health
Examining Factors determining Psychological conditions of women- Anxiety, Stress,
Depression, Hysteria, Sub-psychotic Rage and Frustration, etc. - Socio-cultural and Familial
conditioning of Women’s minds – Self Image, Objectification of a Woman, etc
Unit III – Women in Sports
Physical and Psychological effects of Sports on women - Socio-cultural and economic factors
that deter Women’s talent in Sports - Against all the odds- Narratives of Women athletes and
Sport Stars – Serena Williams, Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Deepika Palikal, Mary Kom -
Gender testing, Drug tests and other issues related to sex determination process in sports –
Case studies and News Reports- Pinki Pramanik
Unit IV – Disability
Issues related to Victimization and Vulnerability of Physically/ mentally challenged
Women/Men and Children - Mainstreaming Disabled Women and Children - Disabled
Women Communities and Self Help Groups - Physically Challenged Women Care Protective Schemes and Laws and Grass root Realities
Unit V – Geriatrics
Women and Ageing - Notion of Beauty myth and Ageing - Changes and conditions
associated with Ageing - Physical/ Psychological effects of Ageing in Women - From
Menarche to Menopause
References:
Clarke, Laura Hurd. 2011. Facing Age. United Kingdom: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.
Drinkwater, Barabara, Ed. 2000. Women in Sport. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
Pal, Manoranjan, Premananda Bharathi et. al (ed) 2011. Gender Discrimination: Health,
Nutritional Status and Role of Women in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Rao, Mohan (ed). 2004. The Unheard Screams: Reproductive Health and Women’s Lives in
India. New Delhi: Zubaan.
Trevathan, Wenda 2010. Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives: How Evolution has shaped
Women’s health. USA: Oxford University Press.
Muhlbauer, Varda and Joan C. Krisler et al (ed). 2015. Women and Aging: An International,
Intersectional Power Politics. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing House.
Elective I – Introduction to Women and Gender Studies
Unit I – Introduction – Women’s Studies to Gender Studies
Women as individuals, in families and in society – Internalisation of norms - Women’s roles,
aspirations and familial/social expectations of women - Multi-disciplinary Methodology for
Research - Sex and Gender - Sexualities, Third Gender and Queer community
Unit II – Contextualising Women’s Movements
History of Women’s Movements – National and International - Three Waves of Feminism Women in the nexus of caste, class and religion - Key Concepts in Feminism – Gender
equality, Gender Parity, Sexual Orientation, Gender Gap, Gender Coding, Patriarchy
Unit III – Women in Personal Sphere
Women in family – foeticide, female infanticide, sex selective abortion, domestic violence,
gender biases, gender violence, maternal mortality rate / infant mortality rate, property rights,
reproductive rights - women’s health and nutrition – social issues - cyber crime -misuse of
technology and science
Unit IV – Women in Public and Social Spheres
Choice of profession - Women in Managerial position – Glass ceiling – Women in Science Self, family and societal pressure, decision making, leadership roles -Myths and
Misconceptions - Roles expected from women – Stereotyping - Representations in social
discourse -- Media/politics/ arts and literature/ sports
Unit V – Women’s Empowerment
Reservation for women in all spheres – potential and challenges - Women friendly policies
and their impact on men - Women specific / centered legislations – legal issues - Laws to
prevent gender based violence - National / State pro-women schemes - Educational and
Employment schemes
References:
Kadambari, V. 2009. Gender Studies: A Primer. Chennai: RJYND.
Putnam Tong, Rosemarie. 2013. Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction.
USA: Westview.
Russell, Bertrand. 1936. Marriage and Morals. London: Bantam.
Smith, Bonnie. 2013. Women’s Studies: The Basics. London: Routledge.
Semester II
Core V – Gender Sensitisation and Resolving Gender Conflict
Unit I –Gender Studies: Important Terms
Sex vs/and Gender; Femininity-masculinity; Gender Analysis-discrimination; Gender
inequality-social perspectives; Gender identity-gap in understanding the other; Gender rolesmatriarchy-patriarchy
Unit II – Social and Personal Roles that Define Gender
Types of marriage-multiple roles of women; Sex ratio-life expectancy-how it affects family
and society; Male Awareness-women empowerment; Literacy rate-professional equality;
Mortality rate-equality in personal sphere
Unit III – Understanding Discrimination
Differential Perceptions of men and women; Differential Treatment of men and women;
Nature of violence, victims and causes of violence; Impact of violence-social and
psychological; Discrimination – aggression – violence based on gender and other marginal
positions
Unit IV – Overcoming Discrimination
Identifying the varieties of discrimination – understanding and contesting stereotypes –
interrogating cultural constructs – understanding the intersectional nexus of caste, class and
gender – Discrimination of LGBTs and sexual minorities
Unit V – Resolving Gender Conflict
Understanding the marginal positions – breaking the silence of the subaltern – articulating the
double/triple marginalisation – awareness raising and advocacy – affirmative policies and
legislations – family courts – victim – offender mediation
References:
Agarwal, Suresh. 2015. Social Problems in India. New Delhi: Rajat Publications.
Deshpande, Ashwini. 2011. The Grammar of Caste: Economic Discrimination in
Contemporary India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Greer, Germaine. 2006. The Female Eunuch. UK: Harper Collins.
Khan, M. E., John W. Townsend and Pertti J Delto (ed) 2014. Sexuality, Gender Roles and
Domestic Violence in South Asia. New York: Population Council.
Rhode, Deborah L. 2014. What Women Want: An Agenda for the Women’s Movement. New
York: Oxford University Press.
Sedgwick, Eve. 1990. Epistemology of the Closet. Berkeley: U of California Press.
Zimmerman, Bonnie Ed. 2000. Encyclopaedia of Lesbian Histories and Culture. New York:
Taylor & Francis.
Core VI – Women in Literature, Media and Arts
Unit I – Politics of Representation
Dichotomy of Centre and Margin - Homogenizing the Heterogeneous- Factors restraining
Mainstreaming of Gender - Representing the Mainstream and the Periphery - Voice and
Silence – male gaze
Unit II – Perspectives in Women’s Writing and Literature on Women and Gender
Feminine Ecriture - Women’s Writing in English – International, Indian, Regional (in
translation) - Women’s Writing – Third World representations - Common themes in writings
by/on Women - Gender in Fairy Tales, Fables and Children’s Literature
Unit III – Representation of Women and Gender in Performing Arts
Women in Theatre - Classical, Pop and Folk; Women performers in Music - Classical, Pop
and Folk; Women performers in Dance - Classical, Pop and Folk
Unit IV- Representation of Women and Gender in Visual Media
Women in Paintings and Sculptures - Feminist film theory and Representations of Women in
Films - Representations of Gender in Video games and Graphic designs - Women
communities and Folk arts/ Handicrafts
Unit V – Representation of Cultural and Historical Ethos through Women/Gender
Shifts in Social, Cultural and Historical Perceptions of the ‘Ideal’ and ‘norm’ – Body image,
beauty, roles of a woman and gendering - Racial, ethnic and cross cultural influence on
Women’s representations - Representations of Women in Literature - Representations of
Women in Visual media- paintings, sculpture and film - Changes in representation of Women
and Gender along cultural timeline
References:
Ananta Raman, Sita. 2009. Women in India: A Social and Cultural History -Volume 2.
California: ABC Clio LLC.
Moi, Toril. 1985. Sexual/Textual Politics. London: Methuen.
Narayan, Uma. 1997. Dislocating Cultures: Identities, Traditions, and Third World
Feminism. New York: Routledge Publishing House. 1997.
Rich, Adrienne. Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution.
Snelik, Anneke. 1998. And the Mirror Cracked: Feminst Cinema and Film Theory.
Hampshire: Macmillan.
Walker, Alice. 1983. In Search of Our Mother's Garden. USA: Harcourt.
Werner, Sarah. 2001. Shakespeare and Feminist Performance: Ideology on Stage. London:
Routledge.
Woolf, Virginia. 1929. A Room of One's Own. USA: Harcourt Inc.
Core VII – Gender Based Violence and Laws
Unit I – Women as Victims of Social Stereotypes
Religious customs and conventions - Socio-political perspectives and crime- - Media
influencing social environment of women, democracy and justice for women - Prejudices
against women administrators and political leaders - homophobia
Unit II – Policies Aiding Women Rights
Brief on U.N. World Conference on Women - Universal Declaration of Human Rights, part
of women’s rights - Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against
women (CEDAW) and its breaches - Declaration on the elimination of violence against
women and reaction of the opposite sex - Women’s representation in local bodies and change
in perception
Unit III – Gender Based Crime Caused by Violation of Equality
Political, economic and social sphere - Right to livelihood-right to live with dignity-right
against exploitation and various ways its violated - Uniform Civil Code-provision for just and
humane conditions of work and maternity relief-is it exercised? - Fundamental rightsFundamental Duties Article 51A [e] - Equal justice and free legal aid
Unit IV -- Laws for Protection of Women against Violence
Indian Penal Code – 1860; Dowry Prohibition Act – 1961; Indecent Representation of
Women [Prohibition] Act – 1986; Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act – 2005;
Industrial Laws: i. Equal Remuneration Act – 1976; ii. Maternity Benefit Act – 1961
Unit V – Laws Relating to Women in Personal Sphere
Marriage-marital rape-abortion; Divorce-alimony-custody of child; Maintenance of
psychological health in turbulent homes; Adoption-lesbian laws; Succession-property lawsperforming rituals
References:
Gangoli, Geetanjali. 2007. Indian Feminsms: Law, Patriarchy and Violence in India.
Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing.
Khan, M. E., John W. Townsend and Pertti J Delto (ed) 2014. Sexuality, Gender Roles and
Domestic Violence in South Asia. New York: Population Council.
Sagar, Rajiv. 2014. International Law in Rape and Sexual Abuse of Women. New Delhi:
Cyber Tech Publication.
Gupta, K. R. Gender Problems and Policies,. 2013. 2nd Edition. New Delhi: Atlantic
Publishing Company.
Core VIII – Men in Feminism
Unit I- Man-Woman Relationship across Cultures, Religions and Societies
Male Dependency and Interchangeability of Man- Woman Dichotomy/ Power Structure;
Examining Man-Woman Bonds – Mother-Son, Man-Wife, Father-Daughter, Brother- Sister
across cultures and socio-religious conditions; Social/Racial/Cultural and Religious
Hierarchies and Stereotyping – White Men/ White Women/ Black Man/ Black Women
Unit II- Impact of Feminist Movements on Men
Reverse Marginalization - Feminization of Manhood -Demonization of Men- Myths and
Misconceptions - Michael Kimmel’s classification of American Feminism Disempowerment and Exclusion of Men - Male Presence/Absence in Feminism
Unit III- Role of Men in International Feminist Movements
Mainstreaming/ Integrating Gender and Sexualities – Male advocates for Schools of
Feminisms; Pro-feminists, Male Feminists and Men in Feminism – Positioning Men within
Feminist schools of thought; Pro-feminist Men in three waves of feminisms, Women’s
Suffrage movements and other pro-women liberation movements; Social thinkers and Writers
– Sir Henry Maine(British Legal Historian), J S Mill (Advocated the Amendment of Reform
Bill), Michael Kimmel (Pro-Feminist American Thinker)
Unit IV- Role of Men in Indian Feminist Movements
Indian National Movement and Women’s front ; Men foregrounding Women’s empowerment
across the many Social and Political movements in India – Self respect movement of Kerala
and Tamil Nadu, Bharatiyar and Bharatidasan’s Vision of “An Empowered Woman”
(Pudhumai Penn) – EVR Periyar and the Self-Respect Movement; Social Reform
Movements- Rajaram Mohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj against Sati, Dowry and other
social evils in India, B R Ambedkar- Jyotibha Phule, Pandit Ramabai and Tarabai; Indian
Visionaries and Philosophers - Rabindranath Tagore and Sarojini Naidu and Aurobindo
Ghosh- Mother Mira
Unit V- UNO Initiative- He for She – Feminism through Men and Women
He for She- Background, Opportunity, Strategy, 3As- Awareness, Advocacy and Action,
Impact 10x10x10 and other Features of the Model; Global Champions of Men and Women
for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women; Gender Equality Advocates in
Organizations/ Schools and University
References:
Digby, Tom. Ed. 1998. Men Doing Feminism. New York: Routledge.
hooks, bell. 2000. Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. Cambridge: South End
Press.
Jardine, Alice & Paul Smith, Ed. 2003. Men in Feminism. New York: Routledge.
Mill, J. S. The Subjection of Women www.constitution.org/jsm/women.htm
Tarrant, Shira. 2009. Men and Feminism. California: Seal Press.
Elective III – Key Concepts and Issues in Gender Studies
Unit I- Socio-Cultural Gender Terms
Gender and Sex - Gender Roles and Performativity - Stereotyping and Prejudices Patriarchy/ Phallo Centrism/ Andro Centrism – Gaze – Spaces - Gender Identity - Bodies in
Gender Studies - Feminine Ecriture - Sexualities
Unit II- Socio-Political Gender Terms
Resistance – Agency - Voice/ Silence – Tokenism - Glass Ceiling – Victimization - Representation – Binaries - Positions and Displacement - Feminism and Feminazism - Herstory
Unit III- Socio- Economic Gender Terms
Feminization of Poverty - Hegemony- Class/ Caste politics in Feminism - Relative
Deprivation – Horizontal and Vertical - Equity and Equality – Resource sharing/ accessing Commoditization of Women - Women and Labour - Women and Development - Gender
Budgeting – Wages - Empowerment
Unit IV- Contemporary Issues – Women’s Rights
Moral Policing - Honour Killing - Female Genital Mutilation - Sexual abuse and Sexual
Harassment - Domestic - Marital Rape - Perversion - Masochism - Reproductive Rights Right to Privacy and Identity Disclosure
Unit V- Contemporary Issues – Gender Rights
Mainstreaming Transgender - Homophobia and LGBT Issues - Sexual Orientations Trafficking Trade - Pedophiles and Masochists – Pornography - Sex Slaves - Gender Based
Violence - Gender based War crimes - Sex Education in Schools
References:
Evans, Mary& Carolyn H. Williams (ed). 2015. Gender: The Key Concepts. New York:
Routledge.
Firestone, Shulamith. 1970. The Dialectic of Sex. USA: William Morrow & Co.
Gaag, Nikki Van Der. 2004. The No Nonsense Guide to Women’s Rights. Oxford: New
Internationalist.
Kadambari, V. 2009. Gender Studies: A Primer. Chennai: RJYND.
Semester III
Core IX – Basics of Research Methodology
Unit I- Identifying Research Problem
Literature Review - Relevant Reading for Topic Ideas- Topic Mapping and BrainstormingAnalysing Existing Research materials and Identifying Research Gap- Group DiscussionsIdea sharing- Insights and Perspectives
Unit II- Research Plan and Research Design
Determining Sample Size - Identifying the appropriate research method - Fixing the
Boundaries – SMART objectives- Research Tools- Theoretical framework, Sample Study,
Empirical analysis, Ethnographic Enquiry- Conducting the Research and Types of ResearchPurpose and Relevance
Unit III- Overview of Research Methodologies
Introduction to Qualitative Research- Introduction to Quantitative Research - Understanding
Mixed Methods for Research in Social Science
Unit IV- Documenting Research Findings
Data Analysis- Data Interpretation - Report Writing and Presentations- Documentation and
Citation Styles - Acknowledging Sources and Awareness on Plagiarism
Unit V- Multi disciplinary and Inter Disciplinary Approaches in Research
Feminist Perspective in different Disciplines- Intersectional Analysis – Examining the
Intersections of Feminism with other disciplines - Testing the validity of theories from
various disciplines within the framework of Feminism- Expanding Scope/ Horizons for other
disciplines using Feminist Research Methods
References:
Baker, Therese L. 2014. Doing Social Research (3rd Edition). New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th Ed. 2009.
Delhi: East West Press.
New
APA Style Sheet www.apastyle.org
IEEE www.ieee.org
Core X – Gender in Historical and Religious Thought
Unit I – Women in Ancient Mythologies and Civilizations
Women in Greek, Roman and Indian Myths; Women in Indus valley, Mesopotamian and
Egyptian Civilizations – The Vedic Woman - Women Goddesses, wish granting Fairies and
Angels - Matriarchal and Matrilineal Societies
Unit II – Historical Accounts and Narratives of Women
Queens, Empresses and Women leaders across History and Culture - Interpreting Historical
narratives of Indian Queens – Velu Nachiyar, Rani Laxmi Bai, Rudramadevi - Women in
Politics – A timeline across Histories and Cultures
Unit III – Women/ Gender in Major Religions of the World
Women in Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism- Sociocultural and Historical archeology of Gender views in Major religions of the World
Unit IV – Women/ Gender and Spirituality
Gender Boundary erasure in Spirituality - Boundaries of Morality and Spirituality - Women
and Gender in the Indian Bhakti Movement
Unit V – Women in Philosophy
Phallocentricism - Women and Knowledge Production - Women Philosophers and their
contributions
References:
Alcoff, Linda Martin and John D. Caputo (ed). 2011. Feminism, Sexuality and the Return of
the Religion. USA: Indiana University Press.
Bradley, Tasmin. 2006. Challenging the NGOs: Women, Religion and Western Dialogues in
India. New York: Taurus Academic Studies.
Greenhout, Ruth E. and Marya Bower (ed). 2003. Philosophy, Feminism and Faith.
Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Warren Karen J. 2009. An Unconventional History of Western Philosophy: Conversations
between Men and Women Philosophers. Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield.
Core XI – Gender, Language and Etiquette
Unit I- Gendering of Language and Gender within Lingual components
Gender Signifiers and Signification systems – Gynospaces in Language; Patriarchy and
Matriarchy through Language; Gendered Syntactic components- Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives;
Androcentric and Gynocentric Axial Points in Language
Unit II- Translating Gender, Language and Culture - Language and Feminist Power
Positions
Re-visioning, Re-visiting and Re-writing from Gender Perspective - Gendering through
Proverbs and Popular Phrases - Patriarchy and Male Gaze - Sexualities and Profanity
illustrated through use of language - Lingual demarcations of Power Structures
Unit III- Historical and Cultural Inquiry into Gender Appropriation through Language
Derogation and Glorification - Violence through Language - Positions – Offensive/
Defensive/ Neutral - Suggestion- Overt/Covert - Verbal use/abuse, Curses/ Insults and
Swearing and Perversions - Chivalry and Honour - Irony and Paradoxes
Unit IV- Ethics and Communication
Gender and Sensitivity - Politically correct language - Stereotypes and Gender Prejudices in
communication - Communicating Gendered Values - Lenses of family, caste, class, ethnicity
and race in communicating Gender roles and positions
Unit V- Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Inclusive Communication
Inclusion/Exclusion – Voice/Silence; Agency/Assertion and Power politics through Language
- Assigning Power values to Positions through Language - Mainstreaming the Margin –
Gender sensitivity and Gender Inclusive communication
References:
Eckert, Penelope and Sally Mc Connell Ginet. 2013. Language and Gender. United
Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Hellinger, Marlis and Hadumod BuBmann. 2003. Gender Across Languages: The Linguistic
Representation of Men and Women, Volume 4. Philadelphia: John Benjamin’s
Publishing Company.
Robinson, Orrin W. 2010. Grimm Language: Grammar, Gender and Genuineness in the
Fairy Tales. Philadelphia: John Benjamin’s Publishing Company.
Vitanoa, Gregana. 2010. Authoring the Dialogic Self: Gender, Agency and Language
Practices. Philadelphia: John Benjamin’s Publishing Company.
Core XII – Life Narratives of Women in Science
Unit I – Women’s Role in 16th and 17th Century Scientific Revolution
Laura Bassi – first woman to earn a university chair in scientific field; Margaret Cavendish –
scientific debates; Maria Winkelmann – astronomer; Maria Sybilla Merian – botanist and
entomologist; Maria Gaetana Agnesi – first maths professor at a university and first woman
to write a handbook
Unit II – 18th Century Scientific Progress
Maria Sybilla Merian, founder of modern botany and Dorothea Erxleben arguing women’s
right to join university in her tract; Charlotta Frolich – first historian and woman to be
published by Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Eva Ekebald – first to be inducted into the
Academy; Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze –chemist; Lady Mary Wortley Montagu – pioneered
smallpox inoculation in England; Caroline Herschel and Margaret Cavendish – first two to be
awarded honorary memberships in the Royal Astronomical Society
Unit III – 19th Century Scientific Advances by Women
Mary Fairfax Somerville – magnetism; Lady Ada Lovelace – the first computer programme;
Florence Nightingale – nursing; Elizabeth Garrett Anderson – first woman medical doctor
from Britain, 1865. Garret Anderson founded the first UK medical school for women; Annie
Scott Dill Maunder – pioneer of sunspots
Unit IV – 20th Century Landmarks in Science by Women
Marie Sklodowska-Curie – Nobel Prize, 1903; Lise Meitner – nuclear fission; Emmy Noether
– abstract algebra; Inge Lehmann – seismologist, earth’s inner core; Irene Curie – Npbel
Prize in Physics; Dorothy Hodgkin – Bio physics
Unit V – Indian Women in Science
Muthu Lakshmi Reddy; Shakuntala Devi; Kiran Mazumdar Shaw; Kalpana Chawla
References:
Ogilvie, Marilyn Bailey. 2004. Marie Curie: A Biography. USA: Greenwood Press.
Henrion, Claudia. 1997. Women in Mathematics. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
Neeley, Catherine. 2001. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Spence, Jean and Sarah Jane et al. 2010. Women Education and Agency 1600-2000. New
York: Routledge Publishing House.
Tuana, Nancy. 2011. Feminism and Science.Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
Elective V – Status of Women in India through the Ages
Unit I- Classical Age
Shakti Movement- Shaktham Marg, Women in Indian Epics, Women in Documents of Indus
Valley Civilization, Vedic Women, Women in Tamil Classical Literature
Unit II- Middle Ages
Islamic invasions, important cultural and historic events and its impact on Indian Women,
Bhakti Movement
Unit III-Colonial Age – Role of Women in the National Movement, Women’s Liberation
movements, Socio-cultural Reformation and its effects on women
Unit IV-Post-Colonial Age – Partition, Migration, Education, Institutions, Re-presentation
Unit V- Global Age – Lifestyle choices and preferences, Effects of Scientific and
Technological advancements on Women’s Health, Women in Contemporary Cinemas and
Television soaps
References:
Ananta Raman, Sita. 2009. Women in India: A Social and Cultural History -Volume 2.
California: ABC Clio LLC.
Kumar, Nita. 2007. The Politics of Gender, Community and Modernity in India: Essays on
Education in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Ray, Bharathi. 2004. Women in India: Colonial and Postcolonial Periods. New Delhi:
PHISPC publications.
Pandey, Seema. 2015. Women in Contemporary Indian Society. New Delhi: Rawat
Publishers.
Tharu, Susie and K. Lalitha (ed). 1991&1993. Women Writing in India, 2 Vols. New Delhi:
Oxford University Press.
Elective VI – Preparatory Course in Women's Studies for Competitive Exams
Unit I- Timeline of Women’s Movements – National and International
Global Trends - American – European (French Feminism)– Asian – Indian - Third World
Unit II- Forerunners in Women’s Movements
Historians – Writers – Activists - Social Reformers - Philosophers and Thinkers
Unit III- Platforms for Women’s/ Gender Rights
Awareness raising – Advocacy - Social Activism - Legal Activism – Non Governmental
Organisations – Academics - Mass Media - Community Development (Self Help Groups) –
Social Media
Unit IV- National/ International Organizations for Women’s/Gender Rights
UN for Women – UNICEF – NFIW – AIWC - Bharatiya Mahila Samkhya - Rashtriya
Mahila Samkhya – NCW - Dalit Women Organizations – AIDWA – AUW – NOMAS Ministry of Women and Child Welfare (India)
Unit V- Women/ Gender Issues – National/ International Schemes and Policies
NPEW – CEDAW - Mexico Plan - Beijing Platform for Action - International Conference on
Race - Women’s International Conference - National and State Schemes for Women – He for
She – Women's Rights as Human Rights - Gender Audit/ Gender Budget/ Five Year
Plan/Reservation
References:
Kadambari, V. 2009. Gender Studies: A Primer. Chennai: RJYND.
Kumar, Radha. 1993. The History of Doing: An Ilklustrated Account of Movements for
Women's Rights and Feminism in India. New York: CUP.
Putnam Tong, Rosemarie. 2013. Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction.
Westview.
Smith, Bonnie. 2013. Women’s Studies: The Basics. London: Routledge.
Warhol- Down, Robyn & Diane Price-Herndel. 1997. Feminisms: An Anthology of Literary
Theory and Criticism. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press
Semester IV
Core XIII – Education, Employment and Empowerment
Unit I – Chronology of Women’s Education in India
Vedic period – post-Vedic period; Modern period – enrolment rate of girl children; Higher
education for women; Five Year Plans of Government of India– strategies to implement
women’s education in rural areas - Women’s reservation in education sector
Unit II – Schemes for Women’s Education
The Radha Krishnan Commission (1948-49); Mudaliar Commission (1952-53); Kothari
Commission (1964-66); National Policy on Education 1986 modified in 1992; Sarva Shiksha
Abhyan – right to education
Unit III – Empowerment through Education
Formal and non-formal ways to education - National Literacy Mission – literacy campaign National Adult and Continuing Education - Social development – emotional development –
language development - Identity in social sphere – mental health with cognitive development
- NPEW
Unit IV – Economic Empowerment
Legal provisions - Feminism in global economy - Notions of chastity, seclusion and how it
affects career - Sexuality in agriculture – unpaid labour - Traditions, maintaining family
honour as strategies to curb financial independence – gender gap
Unit V – Feminist Voice in Society
Environmental justice and women - Education and employment for women – a step towards
gender justice - Trends and patterns of women entrepreneurship – self-employment
opportunities - Market, managerial, technical and financial feasibility - Identifying business
ideas suitable for women – Augmenting the bargaining power of women
References:
Haque, T. 2015. Empowerment of Rural Women in Developing Countries: Challenges and
Pathways. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.
Sen, Amartya. Development and Freedom. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Shenoy-Packer, Suchitra. 2014. Society, Socialization and Agency: India’s Working Women
and Career Discourses. United Kingdom: Lexington Books. 2014.
Shiva, Vandhana. 1988. Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Survival in India. New Delhi:
Kali for Women. 1988.
Krishna. Swami (ed). 2007. Women’s Livelihood Rights: Recasting, Citizenship for
Development. New Delhi: Sage Publishing House.
Ramachandran, Vimala and Kameshwari Jandhyala (ed). 2012. Cartographies of
Empowerment: The Mahila Samkhya Story. New Delhi: Zubaan.
Elective VII– Evolution of Women’s Writing in India
Unit I- Select Indian Women Writers and Their Works
Mira, Akka Mahadevi, Sashi Deshpande, Ismat Chughtai, Vandhana Shiva, Savithribai Phule,
Sarojini Naidu, Bama, Lalithambika Antherjanam, Arundhathi Roy, Amrita Pritam, Indira
Goswami, Kamala Das
Unit II- Representations in Indian Women’s Writing
Mainstream and Margin- Religious Writings by Women- Indian Women writings in
Translation- Oral narratives by women- Autobiographies and Memoirs- Folk and Tribal
Women writers- Reformist Writing
Unit III- Highlights and Issues Discussed in Indian Women’s Writing
Domestic violence- Sexuality- Gender and Development- Spirituality- Voice and AgencyInclusion- Powerlessness- Social-Cultural-Caste-Class Politics and Personal Position
Unit IV- Publication of Women’s Writing in India
Women oriented publishers – Kali for Women, Manushi, Rawat, etc. – Politics of publication
– too much and too little feminism – Portrayal of men in Women's writing
Unit V- Scope and Need for Women’s Writing in India
Activism- Research- Gender Mainstreaming- Representation- Agency/ Voice- LegacyWriting as Therapy- traditional knowledge transfer
References:
Robinson, Orrin W. 2010. Grimm Language: Grammar, Gender and Genuineness in the
Fairy Tales. Philadelphia: John Benjamin’s Publishing Company.
Tharu, Susie and K. Lalitha (ed). 1991&1993. Women Writing in India, 2 Vols. New Delhi:
Oxford University Press.
Viswanathan, Susan (ed). 2011. Structure and Transformation. New Delhi: OUP.
Select Articles from the archives of MANUSHI journal.