B.Ed. (Full Time) Gender School and Society Syllabus - Mumbai University

Objectives

• To acquaint the student teachers with the concept of gendered roles in society and their challenges.
• To develop basic understanding and familiarity with key concepts-gender, gender bias, gender stereotype, empowerment, gender parity, equity and equality, patriarchy and feminism and transgender.
• To understand the influence of social institutions (family, caste, class, religion, region,) on inclusion and gender identity
• To examine the role of schools, peers, teachers, curriculum and textbooks, etc. in challenging inclusion and gender inequalities /reinforcing gender parity.
• To develop an understanding about policies, plans and schemes of the government for addressing all forms of disparities, inequalities and their inclusion in the society
• To critically appraise the role of media in reinforcing inclusion and gender roles in the popular culture and at school.
• To appreciate the role of NGOs and Government organisations in sensitizing society towards inclusion and gender parity

Module 1: Gender and Socialization 2 credits

Unit 1: Gender: Concept and Perspectives

• a) Concept of sex, gender and transgender
• b) Gender related concepts: patriarchy, feminism, equity and equality, sexuality.
• c) Emergence of gender specific roles: sociological and psychological perspectives.

Unit 2: Social Construction of Gender Identity

• a) Influence of family, caste, religion, culture, region, the media and popular culture (films, advertisements, songs) on gender identity.
• b) Gender bias: health and nutrition, education, and employment.
• c) Gender stereotyping

Unit 3: Gender Issues and Provisions

• a) Gender related issues in society: dowry system, work place discrimination
• b) Sexual abuse, cyber bullying
• c) National Policy for Empowerment of women

Module 2: Gender: Education and Empowerment 2 credits

Unit 4: Gender Challenges and Education

• a) Gender challenges: The role of schools, peers, teachers, curriculum and textbooks.
• b) Construct of gender in national curriculum framework
• c) Contemporary women role models in India: urban and rural

Unit 5: Gender Jurisprudences in Indian Context

• a) Prenatal diagnostic Technique Act, 1994
• b) Domestic Violence Act, 2005
• c) Protection of from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

Unit 6: Strategies for Gender Empowerment

• a) The role of NGOs and women's action groups in striving towards gender equity
• b) The United Nations Entity Equality and the Empowerment of Women for Gender- UN Women
• c) Millennium Development: Goal: Promoting gender equality and empowerment

Module 3: Internal Assessment 2 credits

• Any two of the following tasks:
• a) Gender analysis of text books and suggestions for change
• b) Case studies of groups/organizations working for women
• c) Critical analysis of depiction of women in mass media (ads/serials/films/print media)
• d) Visits to institutions working for women’s welfare and Report writing
• e) Street plays, Exhibitions, Debates, Interviews, Poster Competitions, Slogan Competitions

References

• Bhasin Kamala: Understanding gender, kali for women, N. Delhi,2000
• Basu Aparna: Women’s Education in India in Ray and Basu (edt): From Independence Towards Freedom, OUP, 1999
• Chodhuri Maitreyee (2004): Feminism in India, Women Unlimited, New Delhi
• Chakravarty Uma: Gendering caste through a feminist Lense, Stree, Calcutta, 2003.
• Courting Disaster, PUDR report, 2003.
• Davis Kathy, Evans Mary, Lorber, J (edt) (2006): Handbook of Gender and Women’s studies, Sage,UK.
• Delamont Sara: Feminist Sociology 8. Feminist Concepts, Contribution to women’s studies series, Part-I, II, III, RCWS, Mumbai
• Desai, Neera and Thakkar, Usha. (2001). Women in Indian Society. National Book Trust, New Delhi
• Dunne, M. et al. (2003). Gender and Violence in Schools. UNESCO
• Freedman Jane: Feminism, Viva Books, New Delhi, 2002.
• Gender Analysis of School Curriculum and Text Books UNESCO, Islamabad, 2004 Principal Author ... Gender Analysis of Primary School Textbooks in Punjab.
• Kirk Jackie (ed) , (2008), Women Teaching in South Asia, SAGE, New Delhi
• Leach, Fiona. (2003). Practising Gender Analysis in Education, Oxfam
• NCERT 2006, National Curriculum Framework 2005: Position Paper, National Focus Group on Gender Issues in Education, New Delhi