OAGD 1025 - Constructing and Contesting Gender in the North of Africa

The course takes a politico-sociological approach to study norms, laws, and practices governing gender in countries across the North of Africa. The course is divided into three parts: (1) analytical tools to study gender (2) constructions of masculinities, femininities, and varied sexualities in the North of Africa (3) contestations over these constructions. Case studies will cover Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, and Western Sahara.

Learning Outcomes:

• Acquisition of key concepts: gender-based inequalities, gender politics, social stratification, social movements
• Acquisition of methodologies: analysis of primary- and secondary-source texts including newspapers, social media comments, political documents, academic texts, etc.
• Acquisition of local and regional socio-political dynamics in the North of Africa

Professional Skills:

• Ability to identify key actors governing gender
• Ability to sociologically and ethically engage with key social and political issues in the region
• Ability to draft and present empirically grounded research in the face of data-scarcity and misinformation

A basic knowledge on politics and societies in the North of Africa is desirable but not needed.

• The grading grid for each assignment will be detailed in the syllabus.
• A week before each assignment is due, I will explain the grading grid as well as key expectations in detail.
• Students will receive their grade with detailed feedback in the week following the submission of their assignment.

• Requirements for the class include doing the weekly readings and participating in class discussions (10%)
• two short writing assignments (20%+ 20%
• final research project including final paper 30%
• final presentation 20%

• Reading and Preparation for Class: 6 hours a week / 72 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 4.5 hours a week / 54 hours a semester