Gender and Development In The Global South

Module description

The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the complex geographies of gender roles, relations and identities and different type of feminisms in the global South. As well as exploring the theoretical approaches to gender and development thought, and especially different types of feminist thought, the course also examines a series of axes of diversity in relation to people’s lives in the global South. It examines changing social and economic aspects of development on women’s and men’s (and where research exists on trans and non-binary) lives in relation to household transformations, population mobility, poverty, employment, sexualities, gender-based violence and development policy and practice.

The module approaches these issues from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, with a particular focus on the experiences of women and men at the grassroots. Where relevant and appropriate, it takes a decolonial perspective.  

Themes covered

• Introduction to Module. Putting Gender on the International Development Agenda
• From Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD)
• Gender, Intersectionality and Postcolonial/Decolonial Feminisms
• Gender differences and multiple feminisms within the global South
• Men and Masculinities
• Women-headed households and the feminisation of poverty
• Female labour force participation and women’s empowerment
• Gender, sexualities and Menstrual Hygiene Management
• Violence Against Women and Girls: from the everyday to armed conflict
• Gender and International migration

Assessment details

2500 Word essay (100%)

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the module students should have an understanding of:

• Why gender is important when considering international development issues
• The diversity and intersectionality of gender roles, relations and identities both within and between different regions of the global South (such as nation, race, class, age, and sexuality)
• Different types of feminisms across the global South and a critique of ‘Western feminism’
• The nature of the main gender issues affecting people in the global South in relation to households, employment, migration, gender-based violence, health and sexualities.
• The grassroots experiences of women and men in several countries of the global South
• How gender issues have been integrated into development policies

Skills developed: You will develop the following skills:

Intellectual:

• Key aspects of gender inequalities and different types of feminisms in the global South; understanding of differences according to country, context and social identities; understanding of feminism in different places; evaluation of different theoretical approaches to gender empowerment as well as key policy frameworks such as Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD).
• Key analytical skills through your course work

Employability:

• Literacy including listening and questioning
• Problem solving
• Time management

Teaching pattern

10hrs lectures; 10hrs seminars

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.