GI418 Half Unit
Feminist Economics and Policy: An Introduction
This information is for the 2023/24 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Ania Plomien
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Management (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Sciences Po), MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Gender, MSc in Gender (Research), MSc in Gender (Sexuality), MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation, MSc in Gender, Policy and Inequalities and MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations/CIPD). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
There will be 45 places available on this course.
Pre-requisites
The course is run by the Department of Gender Studies – an interdisciplinary department. One of the key objectives of the course is to bring a multi-perspectival approach to the understanding of economic processes and the role of policy in attaining economic equality and well-being. As economic processes have a profound influence on social life, gender relations and gender (in)equality, and vice versa, this course seeks to expose students interested in gender adn economic issues to the work of Feminist Economists.
An interest in gender issues is essential and undergraduate level course in economics would be an advantage.
Course content
Recent decades have seen the emergence of gender equality as a key policy concern and Feminist Economics as a sub discipline. The purpose of the course is to engage with the theoretical foundations and intellectual contributions of Feminist Economics and to develop an analytical understandings of gender issues with respect to economic processes and policies operating at macro and micro levels. At the macro level, the course explores the implications of contemporary economic and financial governance from a gender perspective, the gender bias in macroeconomic analyses, and the gendered impact of austerity policies and the Covid-19 pandemic. At the micro level, the course analyses the gender dynamics of household and labour market inequalities, engages with the economic foundations and explanations of gender inequality within employment and within the household, focusing on wage and productivity differences and the gender division between ‘productive’ and ‘reproductive’ work. Gender as economically significant marker of inequality is contextualised, where possible, in relation to race, social class, sexuality and migrant status. Attention is also paid to the way in which individual well-being is influenced by the level of development and transnational trade relations. Accordingly, the course seeks to bridge the macro-micro divide by drawing together the gendered critique of existing biases in economic thinking and to provide an analytical foundation for alternative approaches to policies that aim to contribute towards securing sustainable development and gender equal well-being.
Teaching
This course runs in WT.
There will be a reading week in week 6 in line with departmental policy.
Formative coursework
Essay (1500 words) in the WT.
Indicative reading
- Bargawi, H., Cozzi, G and Himmelweit, R. (2017) Economics and Austerity in Europe: Gendered Impacts and Sustainable Alternatives.
- Berik,G., Kongar, E. (2021) The Routledge Handbook of Feminist Economics.
- Ferber, M. and Nelson, J.(1993) Beyond Economic Man: Feminist Theory adn Economics.
- Ferber, M. and Nelson, J. (2003) Feminist Economics Today: Beyond Economic Man.
- Folbre, N. (2009) Greed, Lust and Gender: A History of Economic Ideas.
- Gutiérrez, M. (2003) Macro-Economics: Making Gender Matter.
- Jacobsen, J. (2020) Advanced Introduction to Feminist Economics.
- Karamessini,M and Rubery, J. (2014) Women and Austerity: The Economic Crisis and the Future for Gender Equality.
- Peterson, J. and Lewis, M. (1999) The Elgar Companion to Feminist Economics.
- Perrons, D. (2021) Is Austerity Gendered?
- Pujol, M. (1992) Feminism and Anti-Feminism in Early Economic Thought.
- Zein-Elabdin, E.O. and Charushela, S. (2004) Postcolonialism Meets Economics.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 3000 words) in the ST.
Key facts
Department: Gender Studies
Total students 2022/23: 48
Average class size 2022/23: 16
Controlled access 2022/23: Yes
Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (LT)
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills