Introduction to Women’s Studies in India

Paper Code: 
WMS 101
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

The objectives of this course are-

 

  1. To acquaint the students with the need of the subject.
  2. To familiarize the students with several women’s issues.
  3. To understand the basic nature of the discipline.

 

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

 Outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies 

Paper Code

Paper Title

WMS 101

Introduction to Women’s Studies in India

CO 1: Recognize the basic perspectives of Women’s studies.

CO 2: Demonstrate knowledge about various concepts of women’ studies.

CO 3: Appraise the interrelationship between various social issues and women.

CO 4: Examine the importance of the course as multidisciplinary.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Reading assignments

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Women’s Studies
  • Origin, meaning, and scope; need for women studies

 

9.00
Unit II: 
Women’s Question
  • Social, political and economic issues and paradigms in post independent India

 

9.00
Unit III: 
Basic concepts
  • Sex and Gender - Definition, Facts and Myths

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
Concepts of Patriarchy and Matriarchy

Subordination of women in Patriarchy

9.00
Unit V: 
Role of Women’s Studies

Need to rethink Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; research orientation

Essential Readings: 

Readings:

·      Sen, Ilina. (ed.) A Space within a Struggle: Women’s Participation in People’s Movement, Kali for Women, 1990

·      Nandita Gandhi and Nandita Shah,  Issue at Stake: Theory and Practice in the Contemporary Women's Movement in India, Kali, Delhi, 1991

·      Anita Mathur, Saath Saath I-V

·      S. P. Sathe, Towards Gender Justice, RCWS, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, 1996

·      Bina Agarwal, Gender and Command over Property: An Economic Analysis of South Asia, Women Unlimited(an associate of Kali for Women) New Delhi, 1996

Menon, N. (ed.), Gender and Politics in India, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1999

References: 

References:

  • Mary E John ed. 2008. Women’s Studies in India, A Reader, Penguin Books, Introduction; 1-19
  • Mazumdar, Vina, Making of a Founding Text, in Mary E John ed. Women’s Studies in India, A Reader, Penguin Books, 2008 pp. 27-32
  • Chatterjee, Partha, ‘The Nationalist Resolution of Women’s Question’ in Recasting Women, Kali for Women, Delhi, 2006, pp 233-253
  •  ‘Commonsense beliefs and Psychological Research Strategies’, and ‘Stereotypes, Attitude and Personal Attributes’ pp 1-38 in Archer, John & Lloyd, Barbara, Sex and
  • Gender, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002
  • Manimala, Bodhgaya Struggle, WSI Delhi, 2008, 46-52
  • Kamla Bhasin, What Is Patriarchy? Women Unlimited (an associate of Kali for Women) New Delhi, 2003
  • ‘Origins – The Origins of Patriarchy’ pp 39-58 in Archer, John & Lloyd, Barbara, Sex and Gender, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002
  • Agarwal, Bina, Gender and Legal Rights in Landed Property in India, Women Unlimited(an associate of Kali for Women) New Delhi, 1999
  • Manimala, Bodhgaya Struggle, WSI Delhi, 2008, 46-52
  • Mary E John ed. Women’s Studies in India, A Reader, Penguin Books, Delhi, 2008, Introduction; 1-19
  • Kishwar, Madhu, Initiatives against Dowry Deaths, WSI 42-46
  • Mitra, Alok, Implication of Declining sex ratio in India’s Population, WSI, Delhi 2008, pp 52

 

Academic Session: 
2021-22
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