COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST - POLI 453: GENDER AND POLITICS

University of Ghana

Department of Political Science

Welcome to POLI 453 – GENDER AND POLITICS

1^st Semester, 2016/2017

Lecturer: Dr. Maame A.A. Gyekye-Jandoh

Office: Room 6 Political Science Dept.

Office hours: Tues, 11.45am-1.15pm and by appointment

e-mail: mgyekyej@yahoo.com; mgjandoh@ug.edu.gh

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.

UNESCO Definitions of Gender Concepts. 2010.

The UN Millennium Development Goals, 2000 and UN Sustainable Development Goals, 2015.

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

Valentine M. Moghadam. 2009. “Women, Politics, and Gender Quotas”. Al-Raida, Issue 126-127, Summer/Fall.

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. p. 3-21.
  Dzodzi Tsikata. 2009. Affirmative Action and The Prospects for Gender Equality in Ghanaian Politics. Accra: Abantu, Women in Broadcasting and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
  
  
  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. p. 112-137.
  
  
  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 21^st August. p. 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 Tanks
• Time Frame: 1950s-1979, 1981-1992, 1993-2008
  
  
  Beatrix Allah-Mensah. 2005. Women in Politics and Public Life in Ghana. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (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. p. 121-140.
  
  
  The Coalition on Women’s Manifesto. 2004. The Women’s Manifesto for Ghana.
  
  
  Other Articles To Be Assigned (TBA). 
  
  
  Recommended:
  
  
  Hamida Harrison. 2004. “The State of Women in Public Life.” In Samuel E. Quainoo (ed). Africa Through Ghanaian Lenses. Vestal International Press: Binghamton, New York.
  
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  Gretchen Bauer and Josephine Dawuni. eds. 2016. Gender and the Judiciary in Africa: From Obscurity to Parity? New York and London: Taylor and Francis.
  
  
  Other Articles To Be Assigned (TBA).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Week 12 - Gender and Development
  
  

• Gender and Development Programs
• Gender and the MDGs
• Gender and the SDGs

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. p. 1-26, 61-72.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals, 2015.

Ghana: 2010 Ghana Millennium Development Goals Report

Recommended:

Other Readings to be assigned (TBA)

Week 13 – Revision