SOCY2031 Detailed Syllabus Outline

SOCY2031: Sociology of Gender
UG 3 SEM 5
Course Description:
The sociology of gender focuses on the social construction of gender. Other theories of gender such
as biological explanations will be discussed in comparison to the social constructionist approach.
The course will begin with an examination of key theoretical approaches to the study of gender.
Course Educational Objectives:

1. To introduce the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives in the sociology of gender and
sexuality.
2. To relate the concept of gender and sexuality to social institutions and practices in Indian society.
3. Equip students to analyse the centrality of sexualities in cultural, social and political institutions
and practices.
4. Identify how femininities and masculinities vary by race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality, and how
this affects gender relations and experiences.
5. Outline how gender creates power imbalances in people’s personal relationships.
Unit I: Introduction [10 hours]
• Sex and Gender; Sexual Division of Labour
-**Bhasin, K. (2004) Understanding Gender, Delhi: Women Unlimited (pp. 1-20, 32-48.)
-Jakson, S. (1998). Theorizing Gender and Sexuality, in Jackson, S and Jones, J. (ed).
Contemporary Feminist Theories, Edinburgh University Press. pp 131-146.
• Patriarchy [2 hours]
-Walby, S. (1989). Theorizing Patriarchy, Sociology, Vol. 23 (2).
• The Concept of Gender and Sexuality in Feminist Theory: Liberal, Marxist, Socialist, Radical,
Postmodern theories; Queer Theory
-Tong, R. (2009). Feminist Social Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction. Westview

Press (Chapters: 1,2,3, and 8).
-Jagose, A. (1996). Queer Theory: An Introduction. Melbourne University Press. (Pp 72-
100).
Unit II: Major debates in theorizing gender and sexuality in Indian context [8 hours]
• Nationalism, Colonialism and Gender
-Chatterjee, P. (1997). The Nationalist Resolution of the Women’s Question. In Vaid, S. and
Sangari, K. (ed.) Recasting Women: Essays in Colonial History. Kali for Women
-Chaudhri, M. (1999). Gender in the Making of the Indian Nation State. Sociological
Bulletin, Vol. 48 (1/2). Pp 113-133.
• Theorizing Caste and Gender
-Rege, S. (1998). Dalit Women Talk Differently: A Critique of Difference and Towards A
Dalit Feminist Standpoint Position, Economic and Political Weekly.
- Chakravarti, U. (2018). Gendering Caste: Through A Feminist Lens. Sage. (pp. 36-62).
-Rege, S. (1995). Feminist Pedagogy and Sociology for Emancipation in India, Sociological
Bulletin, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 223-239.
• Sexualities, Modernity and History
-Kumar, P (2014). Queering Indian Sociology, CAS Working Papers, CSSS, JNU.
Unit III: Gender, Sexuality and Major Social Institutions in Indian Society [8 hours]
• Family, Caste, Kinship and Religion
-Dube, L. (1997) Women and Kinship: Perspectives on Gender in South and South East
Asia, United Nations University Press
• Gendering State Policies and Programmes
National Policy for Women (2016). Ministry of Women and Child Development,
Government of India (pp 1-17).
• Issues of Violence; Work and Gender

-*Abbot, P., Wallace, C. and Tyler, M. (2005), An Introduction to Sociology: Feminist
Perspectives, London and New York: Routledge Chapter 9 ‘Work and Organisation’ and
Chapter 10 ‘Crime, Violence and Criminal Justice’
• Sexual Citizenship
-Richardson, D. (2017). Rethinking Sexual Citizenship. Sociology, Vol. 51 (2), pp.
208-224.
Unit IV: Gender and Media [10 hours]
• Media and the Construction of Gender Roles

• Media and Representation of Gender Identities
• Objectification and the Role of Media
-*Gauntlett. D. (2008). Media, Gender and Identity: An Introduction, London and New York:
Routledge Chapter 1 ‘Introduction’ pp. 1-21.
-*Tuchman, G. (1978). ‘The Symbolic Annihilation of Women by the Mass Media’ in (eds.) G.
Tuchman, A.K. Daniels and Benet, J. Hearth and Home: Images of Women in Mass Media, New
York: Oxford University Press
Unit V: Gender and Environment [6 hours]
• Ecofeminism and its Critique
• Gender, Ecology and Development
-Shiva, Vandana. (1988). “Development, Ecology, and Women.” Ch.1 in Staying Alive: Women,
Ecology, and Survival in India. London: ZED Books. pp. 1-13.
-**Agarwal, B. (1992). The Gender and Environment Debate: Lessons from India, Feminist Studies,
Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 119-158.
Readings marked as * are suggested alternative readings in cases where the prescribed reading
is not available
Readings marked as ** are suggested additional readings

SOCY2031 Detailed Syllabus Outline

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SOCY2031: Sociology of Gender

Course Educational Objectives:

Unit I: Introduction [10 hours]

• Sex and Gender; Sexual Division of Labour

-Tong, R. (2009). Feminist Social Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction. Westview

• Nationalism, Colonialism and Gender

• Theorizing Caste and Gender

• Sexualities, Modernity and History

• Family, Caste, Kinship and Religion

• Gendering State Policies and Programmes

• Issues of Violence; Work and Gender

Unit IV: Gender and Media [10 hours]

• Media and the Construction of Gender Roles

Unit V: Gender and Environment [6 hours]

• Ecofeminism and its Critique

• Gender, Ecology and Development

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