Development Studies (DEST) 375 L20
Gender and Development
Spring 2008                                       
MW 14:00-16:45                                                                                                              Room SS113

 

Instructor:	Dr. Rozmin Jaffer
Office Location:	SS 209
Office Phone:	TBA
E-Mail:	rjaffer@ucalgary.ca
Office Hours:	By Appt.

Course Description

In this course we will study the theories, policies and practices of development and its effects on women's lived experiences. In our study of gender and development, we will incorporate critical analysis from the fields of development and third world feminism. We will focus on issues of sustainability and women's diverse experiences of development -- locally, nationally and globally. We will explore women's strategies for organizing, grassroots activism and alternatives to globalization. Through case studies of development, students will explore women's efforts to empower themselves and their communities.

In addition to required readings and assignments students will be expected to participate actively in class discussions, group work, and group presentations.

Objectives of the Course

1. To develop critical understandings of development policies and practices, and their impact on women's lives and environments.

2. To develop an awareness of how development issues affect us locally as well as globally.

3. To explore strategies for resistance and empowerment of women and their communities.

Textbooks and Readings:

1. Women's Activism and Globalization: Linking Local Struggles and Transnational Politics (Paperback) Edited by Nancy Naples & Manisha Desai
   
   
2. Theoretical Perspectives on Gender and Development by Jane Parpart

Assignments and Evaluation

Group Presentation 20% Presentation will be based on assigned readings

Reading Journal including three ‘Thought Papers' on three readings of your choice 20% Reading Journal due May 28^th  and due June 25^th

Class Participation 10%

Research Paper 20% Due June 16^th

Poster Presentation based on the Research Paper 5% Due June 25^th
 
Take-Home Final Exam 25% Due June 25^th

The instructor regards class discussion as an integral part of the course. Student participation is crucial to everyone's learning. As we know true learning cannot occur without wondering and thinking out loud. As we converse, we come to understand concepts that initially appear confusing to us. Your experiences, thoughts and opinions are essential to your classmates' learning. Students are responsible for attending all class lectures and preparing all assigned readings. Students are expected to take an active role in class discussions so that they can engage with the assigned theoretical materials.

All assignments must be completed to pass this course.

In pairs, students must prepare a Class Presentation on a selected topic related to course readings. Presentations should engage with the week's readings and the ideas presented in them. Students should evaluate and critique these readings. Presentations should serve as a springboard for class discussions. The point of this presentation is to foster lively, challenging discussions of the day's readings. Student's notes must be submitted at the end of the presentations. Presentations should be 25-30 minutes in length and must end with a number of interesting and challenging questions to which the class will respond.

Students are required to keep a Journal and write detailed notes on course readings.  A reading Journal is important to your learning. It is the place where you will summarize and analyze the readings of the day, ponder issues and jot down questions you have about particular readings. We will discuss your questions in class.

 

Along with the journal, students are responsible for submitting THREE Thought Papers  which must be 1-2 pages long (double-spaced, 1 inch margins). Each thought paper should have a clearly identifiable argument or position, demonstrating thoughtful and analytic engagements with the weekly readings. The paper may challenge the text's assumptions, key terms, and examples. Thought papers are NOT just summaries of assigned readings. Each thought paper is due at the beginning of the lecture on the day of the assigned reading. Students choose these readings.

You will write an 8 page Research Paper essay on a topic that relates to our course. This does not include title and reference pages. Students are required to write their research papers on questions, ideas, or theories that interest them. Papers should be based on readings completed for this course and issues that emerged through class discussions.

You must present a clear thesis, demonstrating original thought and clarity of expression. The paper should attempt to unpack the ideas that the theorists present and further their discussions by utilizing outside references and materials. Late papers will be penalized by 5% per day.

Please use an APA style to write your papers. You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Thus a reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. Given this, state references within the body of your paper. An APA documentation guide will be posted on Blackboard. Students cannot use websites unless they are official websites such as Statistics of a country. Also, remember that Wikepedia is not considered an accurate source of information. Please refrain from using it. Use textbooks and articles to write your research paper.

You are asked to put together a Poster Presentation of your research paper topic. You will display and present your poster in class. The poster presentation is a visual representation of a small portion of your research paper.

Class Participation grade will be based on: contributions to group work, attendance and participation in class.

The Final Exam will be in essay format. This will be a take home exam in which you are asked to carefully analyze and synthesize issues discussed in class. Be sure to demonstrate thoughtful and analytic engagements with the weekly readings. Please use an essay format. You are required to use weekly course readings when writing this exam. You are required to use the course readings to answer exam questions. You may use one or two outside reading to enhance your argument however this should be kept at a minimum. You will be asked to write 6-7 pages typed (approximately 1500-1750 words), plus a cover sheet and a reference list of all works cited.

You are also encouraged to discuss with the instructor any course- related questions you may have throughout the term.

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:   No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

The Schedule of Readings will be posted on Blackboard shortly.