Feminism in India

Paper Code: 
WMS 602
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper intends to enable students to develop a broad overview of the evolution of contemporary feminism, including exposure to the debate over the question between the sexes and the general oppression of women in society, and the women’s movement towards greater empowerment. The student will be expected to develop critical awareness of the major ideological approaches with feminist theories.

 

9.00

Feminism in India – Historical perspective: Emergence in 20th Century, After towards Equality, Institutionalizing Women’s Studies

 

9.00

Debates of Feminism in India: the nature nurture controversy; Continuity versus Western influences

 

Eco feminism: Emergence and Issues: Land, water, patenting, environment

 

9.00

Women in spirituality: Creating spaces in existing religions; Freedom of expression and spirituality as a mode for challenging social norms

 

9.00

Race, Class and Caste in Feminist Theory

 

Essential Readings: 
  1. Stanley, Liz, ‘Feminist Praxis: Research, Theory and Epistemology in Feminist Sociology’, Routledge, London, 1990
  2. Omvedt, Gail. We will Smash This Prison, Orient Longman Ltd, New Delhi 1979
  3. Bhave, Sumitra. Pan on Fire: Eight Dalit Women Tell Their Story. New Delhi, Indian Social Institute, 1988
  4. Kumar, Radha. The History of Doing: An Illustrated Account of Movements for Women’s Rights and Feminism in India, 1800-1990, Kali for Women, New Delhi, 1993
  5. Rege,Sharmila, Writing Caste/Writing Gender: Narrating Dalit Women's Testimonies, Women Unlimited, Delhi
  6. Sangari, Kumkum and Vaid, Sudesh ed. Recasting Women, Delhi, Kali for Women, 1989
  7. Mazumdar, Veena, Memories of a Rolling Stone, Kali for Women, New Delhi 2010
  8. Chakravarti, Uma, Rewriting History: The Life and Times of Pandita Ramabai Delhi, Kali for Women, 1998.

Delaney, Tim, pp.202-230 ‘Feminist Theory’ in ‘Contemporary Social Theory’, Pearson Education, Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. New Delhi, 2008

Academic Session: