RSO-52306 Rural Politics, Gender and Participation

Course

Credits 6.00

Assumed knowledge on:

The course is optional; there are no admission criteria.

Contents:

This course analyses the genderedness of policy-making and of policies related to rural development. It also discusses gender specific ways to enforce political influence. Self organisation, governance and representation in agricultural and rural organisations will be dealt with. Though the course focusses on the European rural context, it does so in comparison with situations in other parts of the world and in urban settings. Historical origins and changes throughout the twentieth century will be addressed. Important focus points: concepts such as participation, politics, citizenship and informal politics;
legal rights and distribution of political resources;
shift from equal opportunity policies towards gender-mainstreaming policies;
gender assessment methodologies and studies;
methodologies for interactive or participatory policymaking. Students will work on a specfic subject in small groups. This could for instance involve the gender assesment of a specific policy or policy programme.

Aims:

The students should be able to: 1. identify gender inequalities in policy-making and policies;
2. present the historical origins and major changes;
3. review literature and design gender-sensitive research questions. 4. assess the gender-specific impact of policies and to think of ways to take gender-relations into account more effectively
5. assess the significance of European politics for agriculture and equal opportunities.

Activities:

1. attending lectures (compulsory) ;
2. literature study;
3. participation in class discussion;
4. writing and presenting a paper;
5. excursion.

Examination:

Participation in class discussion (25%). Group paper (75%).

Literature:

Compulsory literature will be listed in the studiewijzer, available through the coordinator.