All societies are characterized by sex inequalities. Economic and social organizations rely on a sexual division of labor based on social norms which assign different roles for men and women; these categories must be questioned through the lens of gender.
The course introduces a gender perspective in social sciences with a specific focus on economics. The persistence of sex inequalities articulated with other types of inequalities (social class, ethnicity …) are analyzed by relying on theoretical and empirical knowledge. A broad spectrum of topics is addressed that enlighten the importance of gender in the understanding of our societies and their sustainability: questioning categories and concepts (gender, sex etc.); theories of justice and gender; presentation of feminist economics; the economic history of sexual division of labor; measuring discriminations and inequalities in the labor market; analyzing the gender dimension of crisis (great recession and covid19 crisis); gender and economic development; ecological sustainability and feminism. The interactions between Welfare state (public policies), market (labor market in particular) and family are analyzed through international, historical, and socio-economic perspectives.
The course builds bridges between academic knowledge and policy making, in this regard the evaluation of public policies is covered. A particular attention is paid to controversies within the academic sphere to shed light on the inherent complexities in tackling inequalities and discriminations.
Discussions based on mandatory readings are opened in the class. Some guests can be invited to share their latest research to broaden the scope of the course.
Hélène PERIVIER,Montserrat BOTEY
Cours magistral seul
English
The course is listed under the rubric "introduction" offered by the Common Academic Curriculum and follows a decentralization related to specific detailed questionings around gender and feminist economics. Although the course is deeply rooted in academic research, it does not require any specific knowledge neither in gender study nor in economics.
Spring 2024-2025
The evaluation is based on two assessments: Two syntheses based on mandatory readings: twice during the semester, students are asked to deliver a synthesis based on 4 or 5 academic papers on a given topic. Each synthesis must compare the papers regarding the method, the data, the results, and the conclusion. It must also raise the stakes related to the readings and sheds light on the controversy between the authors when relevant. Each synthesis counts for 40% of the final grade. Participation: this grade accounts for 20% of the final grade, it is based on MCQ based on mandatory readings for the given session.
All mandatory and recommended readings are available on Moodle.
Throughout the course, all academic honesty rules apply. Please be sure to use proper citation and bibliographic references for all written work.
This is a 24h lecture course in English.
The teaching assistant will organize occasional work sessions to help students with their assignments and the preparation of the paper.
Folbre N., Greed, Lust and Gender: a history of Economic Ideas, Oxford University Press, New York, 2009.
Fraisse G., Reason's Muse. Sexual Difference and the Birth of Democracy, translated by Jane Mary Todd, The University of Chicago Press. / Muse de la raison, la démocratie exclusive et la différence des sexes, Alinea, 1989.