Department of Political Science
School of Social Sciences
College of Humanities
POLI 453 – GENDER AND POLITICS
1st Semester, 2015/2016
Lecturer: Dr. Maame A. Gyekye-Jandoh
Office: Room 6 Political Science Dept.
Office hours: Tues, 11.45am-1.15pm and
by appointment
Course Description and Objective:
Gender
and Politics is a prescribed elective under the Development Studies Modules. It
introduces students to the varied concepts and theories related to gender
relations through an intensely interactive and discussion-driven format. Each
session will combine lectures and discussion to ensure a thorough understanding
of the readings. Considerable emphasis is thus placed on the student’s ability
to, and interest in, participating in discussion and respectful debate.
The
main objective of the course is to familiarize students with theories related
to the sexual division of labor and the relationship and contestations between
the private and public domain. It will also delve into international, regional
and national frameworks and protocols and commitments to the question of
gender. The course will examine the question of access to politics, resources,
and the representation of women in politics. This is important particularly if
we talk about a democratic dispensation around the world since the third wave
of democracy began in the 1990s. Women make up more than 50% of the population
in most countries, and must therefore be a part of the political
decision-making processes. An important aspect of the course is the role of
women in politics in colonial and post-colonial Ghana and in some African
countries. As an integral part of development, the course will pay attention to
the proposals of affirmative action and gender quotas as possible mechanisms to
increase the representation of women in politics. An analytical approach will
be adopted so that at the end of the course, students will be able to
critically assess the theories and issues, and their practical application. An
understanding of basic gender concepts is fundamental to appreciating the
course and grasping its significance in the broader development paradigm.
Course
Expectations:
- Complete all reading
assignments by their due dates
- Participate in class
discussions
- Come to class on a
regular basis and take final exam
- Ask questions when you
are unsure what the assignment is
- Write complete, clear,
concise and well-organized prose on exams
Grading: There will be one end of
semester examination and one mid-term or interim assessment (IA). The IA will
consist of a take-home exam which will be 30% of your final grade, while the
final exam will consist of short answer questions and an essay, making up 70%
of the final grade of 100%. Details will be given at lectures. As a matter of course, the exam will cover class and
assigned readings and class discussions. A short review will be held in the
class period prior to the date of the exam. Note: Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. (See
Student Handbook for penalties).
Success in POLI 453 will depend on timely preparation for reading and
studying assignments, preparation for exams and attendance and participation in
class discussion. This will sharpen your understanding, analytical skills, and
build self-confidence while allowing you to share your experiences. You will be
expected to spend about 8-10 hours on the reading assignments per week.
An Active Learning Approach will be used in class to cover the course material.
This is an interactive mode of learning,
which requires student interaction or
participation in class discussion. In order for this method to be
effective, it is necessary to prepare
and study the lesson before coming to class. In order for an effective
learning atmosphere, please do not come
late to class.
Course Schedule and Readings
Weeks 1 & 2 & 3 – Course
Introduction; Basic Concepts and International Frameworks
Ministry
of Women and Children’s Affairs/Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs/NDPC.
May 2008. Gender Terms and Concepts:
Pocket Notebook for Quick Reference.
The UN
Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women,
1979.
The UN
Millennium Development Goals, 2000.
The Beijing
Platform of Action, 1995
Recommended:
Akosua
Adomako Ampofo. 2013. “Gender and Society in Africa: An Introduction.” In
Manuh, T. and E. Sutherland-Addy. Eds. Africa in Contemporary Perspective: A
Textbook for Undergraduate Students. Legon: Sub-Saharan Publishers.
Weeks 4 & 5 – Obstacles to
Women in Politics: Political, Socio-Economic, Ideological & Psychological
Nadezdha Shvedova (2002) “Obstacles to
Women’s Participation in Parliament” in International IDEAS Handbook, Stockholm
Weeks 6 & 7 - Gender/Women and
Politics: Issues of Representation, Affirmative Action and Gender Quotas
- Affirmative Action; Quota Systems; Representation
Drude
Dahlerup. 2006. “Introduction.” In Drude Dahlerup (ed). Women, Quotas, and Politics. Routledge: U.S.
and Canada
Dzodzi
Tsikata. 2009. Affirmative Action and The
Prospects for Gender Equality in Ghanaian Politics. Accra
Aili
Tripp, Dior Konate and Colleen Lowe-Morna. 2006. “Sub-Saharan Africa :
On the Fast Track to Women’s Political Representation.” In Drude Dahlerup (ed).
Women, Quotas, and Politics. Routledge: U.S.
and Canada
Gretchen
Bauer. 2014. “What is wrong with a woman being chief? Women Chiefs and Symbolic
and Substantive Representation in Botswana”.
Journal of Asian and African Studies.
Published online 21st August. Pp. 1-16.
Valentine
M. Moghadam. 2009. “Women, Politics, and Gender Quotas”. Al-Raida, Issue 126-127, Summer/Fall.
Weeks 8 & 9 – Gender/Women and
National Politics in Ghana
- Ghana’s Commitment to Gender Equality and Women’s Participation in Governance and Decision-Making: The Executive, Political Parties, Women’s Groups, Think Tank
- Time Frame: 1950s-1979, 1981-1992, 1993-2008
Beatrix
Allah-Mensah. 2005. Women in Politics and
Public Life in Ghana FES ). Accra
Beatrix
Allah-Mensah. 2001. “Political Parties, Gender, and Representation: The Case of
Ghana’s Election 2000.” In J.R.A. Ayee (ed). Deepening Democracy in Ghana: Politics of the 2000 Elections, Vol.
1. Freedom Publications. Accra
Other
Articles To Be Assigned (TBA).
Recommended:
Hamida
Harrison. 2004. “The State of Women Africa Through Ghanaian Lenses. Vestal International Press: Binghamton , New
York
The
Coalition on Women’s Manifesto. 2004. The
Women’s Manifesto for Ghana.
Weeks 10 & 11 – Gender/Women and
National Politics in Africa
Gretchen
Bauer. 2012. ‘Let There Be a Balance’: Women in African Parliaments. Political Studies Review. Vol. 10, p.
370-384.
Other
Articles To Be Assigned (TBA).
Week 12 - Gender and Development
- Gender and Development
Programs
- Gender and the MDGs
Elizabeth
M. King and Andrew D. Mason. 2001. Engendering
Development Through Gender Equality in Rights, Resources, and Voice. The
World Bank and Oxford University Press. Washington ,
DC
Ghana:
2010 Ghana Millennium Development Goals Report
Recommended:
Other
Readings to be assigned (TBA)
Week 13 – Revision
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