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Introduction to Feminist Theories
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.
Liberal Feminist Theory: the issue of equal opportunity.
Marxist-feminist Theory: origin of family, private property and the State; socialization of domestic labour; sexual division of labour.
Socialist-feminist Theory: capitalist-patriarchy and the marginalization of women.
Radical-feminist Theory: Sexual politics and the roots of women’s oppression.
Postmodern-feminist Theory: Deconstructing thought and identity; celebration of multiplicity.
- Stanley, Liz, ‘Feminist Praxis: Research, Theory and Epistemology in Feminist Sociology’, Routledge, London, 1990
- Omvedt, Gail. We will Smash This Prison, Orient Longman Ltd, New Delhi 1979
- Bhave, Sumitra. Pan on Fire: Eight Dalit Women Tell Their Story. New Delhi, Indian Social Institute, 1988
- Basu, Amrita (ed.), The Challenges of Local Feminisms: Women’s Movements in Global Perspective, Westview, Oxford, 1995
- 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
- Rege, Sharmila, Writing Caste/Writing Gender: Narrating Dalit Women's Testimonies, Women Unlimited, Delhi
- Sangari, Kumkum and Vaid, Sudesh ed. Recasting Women, Delhi, Kali for Women, 1989
- Mazumdar, Veena, Memories of a Rolling Stone, Kali for Women, New Delhi 2010
- 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
- pp 123-128 ‘Alexandra Kollontai (1873-1952) on Women and Class’ in ‘Before the Second Wave: Gender in the Sociology Tradition’ by Barbara Finlay, Pearson Education, Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. New Delhi, 2008
- pp. 179-188 ‘Margaret Mead (1901-1978) on the Central Basis of Sex Difference’, ‘Before the Second Wave: Gender in the Sociology Tradition’ by Barbara Finlay, Pearson Education, Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. New Delhi, 2008
- pp. 307-315-352 Patricia Madoo Layermann and Jill Niebrugge-Brantley, ‘Contemporary Feminist Theory’, in ‘Modern Sociological Theory’ by George Ritzer, Pearson Education, Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. New Delhi, 2000
