K2SP 3065 - Gender and Social Policy

The main aim of this class is to help students integrate a gender perspective in the analysis and design of social policies. In order to do that, we will first discuss how gender permeates social life and how gender inequalities are produced and re-produced. To do this, we will use a sociological approach. We will then discuss different policy areas and for each of them, several alternative policies, their advantages and disadvantages. The idea is that, if we want to design policies that tackle gender inequalities, we need first to know more about those inequalities and how embedded they are in other social institutions. Most of the literature, empirical evidence, and specific policies discussed in the course will address the case of OECD countries.

There are no prerequisites for this class, although some background in sociology would be useful.

The class will alternate lectures by the teacher and discussion with the students about the readings and class materials.

Students are expected to do one reading per session and to participate in class discussions. Grades will be based on two different exercices: discussion of the readings, and a policy brief. Details on this assignments will be provided the first day of class.

Students will have to read one text per session, and they will also need to do some complementary readings in order to prepare their policy brief. The choice of policy briefs will be done early in the semester so that students will have time to organise their work and prepare accordingly.