Introduction

Human civilization has always aspired to establish an egalitarian society free from exploitation, violence and oppression. Despite the fact that the achievements of women are being recognized and celebrated everywhere and LGBTQs are gradually getting recognition in contemporary world, gender discrimination is still prevalent in our society. It is legitimized through our traditions, economy, religion and society. This is a kind of structural violence which thrives on the foundations of patriarchy and prejudices that are justified, sustained and passed on from one generation to the next.

Owing to gender discrimination, more than fifty percent of the world’s population i.e. women and LGBTQs remain in a subordinate and subservient position. Consequently, societies world over have failed to fully realize their capabilities and potentialities. The proposed course on gender studies is an effort to comprehend the power relations--- historical, structural, economic and political, defining the male and female relationship in a socio-cultural context, flowing from deeply entrenched patriarchy and age-old systems of dominance. 

Significance of Gender Studies

• Gender Studies aims to comprehend the notion of patriarchy, gender and its inter-linkages with other socio-political institutions like caste, religion, class and state,  among others.

• Challenges faced by women, LGBTQs and third gender should make us reflect on  the injustices inflicted upon them as a consequence of gender discrimination.

• Since gender justice is  not only desirable but mandatory everywhere, Gender Studies as a discourse needs to be understood by scholars from different streams of knowledge.

• Emerging issues in gender studies need to be discussed among scholars in order to develop a pedagogical and epistemological perspective which is free from all sorts of gender bias.

Objectives of the Course are:

• To comprehend the issues and challenges faced by women, LGBTQs in a holistic manner through deliberations, research work, theory building and information dissemination.

• To introduce epistemological and ontological aspects of gender studies to academicians coming from different streams of knowledge in a  structured manner.

• To discuss the issues of gender discrimination with the participants in order to develop a knowledge system and pedagogy free from all sorts of gender stereotype.

• To make participants understand the nuances of gender justice and its significance so that they can spread awareness among students and civil society against systemic gender discrimination embedded in our culture.  

• To develop gender sensitive pedagogy and knowledge system.

• To enunciate new insights for further research, theory building etc. in this area of knowledge.

Course Structure

This course is broadly categorized into ten themes and designed to span forty modules. These modules deal with the concepts, theories, research methodologies, movements, programmes and policies related to the gender studies.

Learning Outcomes

• This course will be helpful in minimizing gender bias among teachers, scholars and academicians; whereby students will also develop an equitable and just  thinking towards women and LGBTQs.

• A gender bias free teaching-learning process can be instrumental in bringing about positive social change towards an egalitarian society. 

• A faculty member who values, practices and espouses gender  equity would definitely inspire his/her students to make their career decisions in an unbiased and confident manner leading to judicious presence of males and females in all areas of study and profession. 

• This course will provide academic perspectives and inputs to policy-makers whereby, they will be able to address the problems of gender bias in the society through enabling policy making and legislation.