Gender and Development: Critical Theories and Approaches from edX

Gender equality is one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Here at GRÓ GEST we understand that learning about the theoretical and practical interplay between gender and international development is of utmost importance to anyone working in or considering a career in this field.

In this course you will learn about some of the main critical theories and topics necessary for understanding a complicated and sometimes contradictory relationship between gender equality and international development initiatives.

For example, why have women not been better included in peacebuilding processes? Are women more peaceful than men? How do colonial legacies influence how we think about development and gender? How do they influence collective trauma? What role might the State play in constructing gender norms? What is the difference between women’s mobilization and women’s organization? Does gender mainstreaming really work? What about quota systems? And how do we address issues of masculinity?

In this course, a team of internationally acclaimed experts in the fields of gender studies, history, literature, psychology, and development studies will discuss these questions and many, many more.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will understand and be able to discuss:

* The most recent and basic trends in development theory

* How The State regulates gender roles

* How to recognize examples of State-produced gendered harm

* How international security is different from male and female perspectives

* Women’s role in security and defense forces

* The relationship between gender and violent extremism/terrorism

* Securitization and children born of war

* Gender-responsive peacebuilding

* How women have contributed to peace through civil society

* The gender dimensions of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration processes

* The concept of decolonization in various development contexts

* How colonial legacies influence education and knowledge

* How coloniality influences collective trauma

* How gender and development initiatives played out in post-apartheid South Africa

* The trials and errors of gender mainstreaming

* The difference between women’s organization and mobilization

*The role of masculinities and femininities in development contexts

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: The State

Why are we examining the state in a course on gender and development? Well, on a theoretical and a practical level, the state plays a central role in contemporary efforts at sustainable development. States have immense power to shape institutions and impact people’s lived experiences. They are central and ambivalent sites of concentrated regulatory power. Feminists and gender activists have a complicated relationship with the state because the state is both a source of gendered harm and an actor that has great potential to reduce harm. States are not the same as nations, which are a group of people connected by a common identity, history, or sense of community. A nation-state is the fusing of regulatory, disciplinary power with this conception of community.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines the impact of gender roles and power dynamics on individual and group interactions with the state

Explores the gender disparities in international security and women's potential role in peacekeeping

Analyzes the implementation of gender equality initiatives in post-apartheid South Africa

Discusses the relationship between gender and violent extremism

Highlights the multifaceted relationship between gender and the state

Requires students to have a basic understanding of development theory

Reviews summary

Critical gender & development theories

According to students, this course offers a profound and intellectually stimulating deep dive into critical theories of gender and international development. Learners consistently praise the expert instructors and the relevance of topics like decolonization and peacebuilding. While many appreciate its strong theoretical foundation and its ability to challenge preconceived notions, some note its academic focus, suggesting it's less suited for those seeking immediate, practical implementation strategies. It’s particularly valuable for professionals and researchers aiming to enrich their understanding of complex gendered power dynamics.

Requires commitment to extensive and sometimes dense materials.

"The readings were dense but highly rewarding, expanding my understanding significantly."

"Solid content overall, very thought-provoking. ... The required readings were extensive."

"Some concepts were challenging to grasp without a background in gender studies, and I found myself spending extra time researching."

Covers highly relevant and thought-provoking global issues.

"I especially appreciated the modules on decolonization and how colonial legacies impact current development efforts."

"The week on security and gender disparities was particularly insightful, highlighting issues I hadn't considered."

"The historical context provided, especially regarding post-apartheid South Africa, was invaluable."

Lecturers are highly knowledgeable and provide profound insights.

"The lecturers were truly experts, and their insights were profound."

"Excellent course! ... The instructors were brilliant, and the materials were well-organized."

"While the expertise of the instructors was clear, the pacing felt rushed in some modules..."

Provides a comprehensive and intellectually challenging foundation.

"This course was incredibly eye-opening and provided a deep dive into critical theories of gender and development."

"The critical approaches challenged my preconceived notions about development and gender roles. This course definitely enriched my professional perspective."

"This course provided a fantastic theoretical foundation for understanding the complexities of gender in development contexts. The focus on critical theories was exactly what I was looking for."

Strongly theoretical; less emphasis on direct practical application.

"The content felt a bit academic at times, and I wished for more practical case studies..."

"I came into this course expecting more practical strategies for gender mainstreaming in NGOs, but it was much more academic and theoretical."

"While the critical perspectives were good, I didn't get the actionable insights I needed for my current role. It's well-researched, but maybe not for practitioners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Gender and Development: Critical Theories and Approaches with these activities:

Review 'Decolonizing Methodologies'

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Reviewing this book will help critically examine the dominant methodologies and approaches used in research and scholarship from a postcolonial perspective, especially as it relates to gender equality and international development.

View Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and... on Amazon

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Summarize the key arguments and ideas presented in the book.
Identify the main principles and practices of decolonizing methodologies.
Consider how these methodologies can be applied to research and scholarship in the fields of international development.

Review 'Reading Gender and Postcolonialism'

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Reviewing this book can help situate the topics of the course within postcolonial studies, and how the two subjects intersect.

View Transnational America: Feminisms, Diasporas,... on Amazon

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Summarize the book's main arguments.
Identify the key concepts and theories discussed in the book.
Consider and respond to how the book challenges traditional understandings of gender and postcolonialism.

Organize and review key concepts

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Organizing and reviewing key concepts from the course materials will help strengthen understanding and retention of the material.

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Gather notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams from the course.
Review the materials to identify key concepts and theories.
Organize the materials into a logical structure.

Six other activities

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Participate in discussion forums

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Participating in discussion forums provides opportunities to engage with the course material, interact with fellow students, and clarify your understanding of key concepts.

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Read the assigned readings and prepare responses to discussion questions.
Participate actively in discussions by sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and responding to others.

Explore online resources on gender equality in development

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Exploring online resources will expand your knowledge and understanding of the topic beyond the scope of the course materials.

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Identify reputable resources such as websites, articles, and videos on gender equality in development.
Review the resources to gather additional information and perspectives.

Analyze case studies of gender equality initiatives

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Analyzing case studies helps develop your critical thinking skills and ability to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios.

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Review case studies of gender equality initiatives from various contexts.
Identify the key factors that contributed to the success or failure of the initiatives.

Write a research proposal on a gender equality initiative

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Writing a research proposal will allow you to apply the knowledge and frameworks gained in the course to a specific research project.

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Identify a specific gender equality issue or gap in knowledge.
Develop a research question or hypothesis.
Design a research methodology and plan.

Develop a social media campaign to raise awareness about gender equality

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Creating a social media campaign allows you to use your creativity and knowledge to promote gender equality and engage a broader audience.

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Identify a specific gender equality issue to focus on.
Develop a campaign concept, including a hashtag and key messages.
Create engaging content, such as videos, infographics, and articles.

Volunteer with a local organization focused on gender equality

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Volunteering provides hands-on experience and allows you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical setting.

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Identify local organizations that work towards gender equality and align with your interests.
Reach out to the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Career center

Learners who complete Gender and Development: Critical Theories and Approaches will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sociologist

Sociologists study human behavior in social groups, including how gender roles and norms shape individual and societal outcomes. This course provides a strong foundation in gender studies, critical theories, and development approaches, which are essential for understanding the social dynamics that shape gender equality and inequality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Gender Studies Professor

Gender Studies Professors teach and research gender studies, including the intersection of gender with race, class, and other social factors. This course would provide a valuable foundation for understanding the theoretical and practical aspects of gender studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gender Studies Professor

Development Consultant

Development Consultants advise governments, non-profit organizations, and businesses on how to design and implement development projects. This course provides insights into the gender dimensions of development, which are essential for designing effective and equitable programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Development Consultant

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies, including those related to gender equality. This course provides a strong understanding of gender-responsive policymaking, which is essential for developing policies that promote gender equality and reduce gender-based discrimination.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Human Rights Officer

Human Rights Officers monitor and report on human rights violations, including those related to gender discrimination. This course provides a deep understanding of gender-based human rights and international frameworks for promoting gender equality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Rights Officer

Gender Equality Advocate

Gender Equality Advocates work to promote gender equality and women's rights through advocacy and activism. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of gender issues and strategies for promoting gender equality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gender Equality Advocate

International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists work on development projects in developing countries. This course provides insights into the gender dimensions of international development and how to design and implement gender-responsive projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Specialist

Peacebuilder

Peacebuilders work to build and sustain peace in conflict-affected areas. This course provides an understanding of the gender dimensions of peacebuilding and how to promote gender equality in peacebuilding processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Peacebuilder

Women's Studies Professor

Women's Studies Professors teach and research women's studies, including the history, culture, and experiences of women. This course would provide a valuable foundation for understanding the theoretical and practical aspects of women's studies in the context of gender and development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Women's Studies Professor

Development Economist

Development Economists use economic principles to analyze and address development issues. This course provides an understanding of the gender dimensions of economic development and how to promote gender equality in economic policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Development Economist

Gender Equality Researcher

Gender Equality Researchers conduct research on gender equality and women's rights. This course provides a strong foundation in gender studies research methods and theories, which are essential for conducting rigorous research on gender equality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gender Equality Researcher

Social Work Manager

Social Workers help people mengatasi personal and social challenges. This course provides insights into the gender dimensions of social work and how to provide gender-responsive social services.

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Public Health Specialist

Public Health Specialists work to improve the health of populations. This course provides an understanding of the gender dimensions of public health and how to promote gender equality in public health programs.

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Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the implementation of programs and projects. This course provides insights into the gender dimensions of program management and how to design and implement gender-responsive programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with communities to address social issues. This course provides insights into the gender dimensions of community organizing and how to mobilize communities to promote gender equality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer