Sociology of Gender

The syllabus contents have been designed to equip the minds of the students with sensitivity and ability to understand gender issues being faced by Indians and the Indian society. The nation has developed in terms of education, finance, urbanization, modernization, westernization and the like. But, the situation of gender has not ameliorated as it should have been. Rapes, rather brutal rapes followed by animistic murders, forced prostitution and the like are the crimes which yet speak of extreme gender inequality. The difference is even stronger and noticeable in rural and urban areas. All this needs to be explained to the young minds so that whenever they come in a position to improve the situation or pool their efforts they have a good understanding of the situations to be hit upon.The title of the course is ‘Sociology of Gender’. It deals with the trends and patterns related to the growth and development of the subject in India and Western part of the world. Domestic violence and other forms of force n violence being used against a particular gender is a common issue of almost all the nations. There is a need to understand the background and the social and cultural differences making one gender victimised and other empowered. India and the western world have their own particular features which design the gender related scenarios thereon. The students, through this course shall learn the factors which led to development of the subject ‘Sociology of Gender ‘in India and in the western world; and how this branch of the academics is applied on problem solving mechanisms on governance and people’s level.Gender studies have always been a crucial part of research and policy making. The studies undertaken by researchers in gender related issues have become part and parcel, rather the ground of many policy documents. In the contemporary times, when criminal justice and social wellbeing are a major focus of the governance, the aims cannot be achieved until the issues are identified maturely and are researched over.Only utilityoriented and logical research can resultintoresolving theissues. ‘Women’, this term is featured with a heavy meaning. All women do not form one single category. There are uncountable sub-categories to be looked after and researched over. There is a need to look into the living realms of different classes within in the class of women like rural women; urban women; educated women; uneducated women; skilled, unskilled women; women with disability; women infected with HIV’AIDS; transgender women (lesbians); young girls; girl children; raped and assaulted women and the like. This little reference to diversification of the class of women itself makes it clear how important it is to undertake research in all these domains. But, the pre-condition for research is the understanding of the gendered society and the factors which makewomen empoweredor disempowered.If the young minds are taught such course (sociology of gender), there is a hope that a clear understanding of feminism and the related trends and issues can be done. There is no need of creating feminists, but there is surely a need of creating such a cult of academicians and researchers who sincerely look into the problems of women life. Only such studies and trainings can make the issues and problems functionally resolved.There have been some very popular thinkers and theorists who gave very profound works to academia. Some of their works are very useful to understand the connectivity between gender and society. They are many theories on Feminism, gender and development and the like. The reflections expressed by these prominent thinkers form a crucial part of the present course. This shall lead to cognitive development of the learners and shall instill in them, a capacity to address the gender related issues with more grounded and explainable approach featured with logistics of time. On the whole teaching and learning of the contents of the course of Sociology of Gender shall train the learners about how research can be designed and undertaken to understand the related issues more and how the issues can be resolvedefficaciously.

Week:1

Development of ‘Sociology of Gender’

 

Week:2

Indian Society and Socialization

 

Week:3

Feminism: Theoretical Orientations-I

 

Week:4

Feminism: Theoretical Orientations-II

 

Week:5

Identifying and Understanding Gender Issues

 

Week:6

Changing Gender Profile in India

 

Week:7

Criminality, Crime and Law

 

Week:8

Correctional Methods and Criminal Justice Administration

 

Week:9

Social Movements and Gender related Developments

 

Week:10

Law, Legal Provisions and Legal Institutions: Impact on Gender Equality

 

Week:11

Political Participation of Women in India: Issues and Provisions

 

Week:12

Gender Studies in India: Emerging Scenario