International development

Gender and Development: Theory, Concepts and Issues

Module code: L2104
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay

On this module, you’ll explore how development processes are shaped by and impact gender dynamics and relations. You’ll be introduced to key concepts for analysing social relations between women and men across different cultural, economic, and political contexts.

You’ll examine topics such as:

• the nature of gender inequality
• the household as a social construct
• concepts of power and empowerment.

While providing a theoretical foundation through debates on the household and the gender division of labour, you'll also cover substantive and policy-related topics, including:

• poverty
• labour markets
• women’s employment
• migration
• globalisation.

Module learning outcomes

• The ability to apply key concepts in the analysis of social relations between women and men / boys and girls in different cultural, economic and political contexts.
• To demonstrate a critical understanding of the main theoretical perspectives and issues that have informed gender and development thinking
• To analyse different approaches to gender and development theory, policy and practice with reference to concrete empirical applications.