Module description
Feminist economics is a burgeoning field of economics that focuses on a critical, gender aware and inclusive approach to economic inquiry. This module introduces students to the epistemology, theory and empirics of feminist economics. The module begins with feminist epistemology and covers philosophical debates on feminist economic methodology, such as the embodied nature of scientific activity and the role of power relations in knowledge production. It then covers feminist critiques of standard micro and macroeconomic theory while exploring alternative feminist conceptualization on topics such as economic discrimination and social reproduction. Building on the philosophical and theoretical knowledge gained thus far, the module then turns to empirical and policy questions. We explore empirical phenomena such as the gender wage gap, occupational segregation, informality and poverty in this part of the module in order to understand how economies are gendered. We place these phenomena in context by enquiring how they are related to development policy, structural transformation, trade and globalization using studies from different countries. Throughout the term, the module engages with diverse historical and contemporary feminist debates such as those on intersectionality, the gender division of labour, the care economy, and human rights and economic policy, among others.
This module helps students to gain proficiency in feminist economics and develop an understanding of its central concepts, ideas and debates. It provides them with the tools to analyse the economy using an intersectional gendered lens and identify factors that contribute to the persistence of gender inequalities.
The module will run as an interactive workshop in which students play an active role in shaping and leading the discussion every week. Two students will take responsibility for the topic assigned for each week and come to class prepared with their comments and discussion questions. These questions will be integrated into our discussion and interaction for that week.
Assessment details
Mid-term Essay 1,000 words (30%); Final Essay 2,000 words (70%)
Educational aims & objectives
This module will introduce students to the epistemology, theory and empirics of feminist economics, understood as a field that focuses on a critical, gender aware and inclusive approach to economic inquiry. It will engage with feminist philosophical debates on economic methodology; explore feminist critiques of economic theory on topics such as economic discrimination and social reproduction; and study how development policy and globalization have affected gender and racial economic inequalities. It will provide students the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the field, to engage with cutting-edge contemporary debates, and think critically about how feminist economics can contribute to building more equitable economies and a transformational economics.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Identify the epistemological and methodological underpinnings of feminist economics
- Understand feminist critiques of standard economic theory and feminist economic theory
- Apply an intersectional gender-aware lens to analyse economic trends and policies and identify factors that contribute to the persistence of gender inequalities.
- Critically assess the gaps and contributions of feminist economics to the discipline.
Teaching pattern
2 hour workshop over 10 weeks or 1 hour lecture plus 1 hour seminar over 10 weeks