AST4040

Gender, state and religion in South Asia: Postcolonial and other critiques

Renuka Sharma

12 points -2 hours per week -First semester -Clayton

Objectives This subject is designed for students taking the MA or Diploma in Asian Studies. On successful completion of this subject students should have become familiar with contemporary issues of the traditions of South Asian feminisms.

Synopsis The diverse history of feminism in South Asia will be examined by constructing an overview of the position of Asian women at the present time. Factors such as the impact of colonialism, class, caste and gender debates will be a key construct towards developing an understanding of the present day feminist and NGO (non-governmental) movements in South Asia. Postcolonial critiques of gender, culture and society will be highlighted in relation to the regions within South Asia as well as in the context of themes such as nationalism and religious laws, heath issues, cinematography, ecofeminism, tradeunionisms, subaltern and diaspora studies etc.

Assessment Literature-survey essay (3000 words): 30% -Research essay (6000 words): 60% -Seminar participation: 10%

Recommended texts

Grewal I and Kaplan C Scattered hegemonies: postmodernity and transnational feminist practices U Minnesota P, 1994
Jayawardena K 'Emancipation and subordination of women in Sri Lanka' in Jayawardena K Feminism and nationalism in the third world 1986
Kotkin J Tribes: How race, religion and identity determine success in the new global economy 1993
Mies M Indian women and patriarchy Concept, 1980
Mohanty C T and others Third world and the politics of feminism Indiana U P, 1991
Tharu S Women writing in India, 600 BC to the present vols 1 and 2, 1993
Sharma R Representations of gender, democracy and identity politics in relation to South Asia Nari: Series in Gender Studies, Indian Book Centre, 1997
The other revolution. Feminist and NGO perspectives from South Asia vol. 3, Nari: Series in Gender Studies, Indian Book Centre, 1997
Women, Power and cultural difference. Negotiating gender in South Asia Indian Book Centre, (forthcoming)
Zia A S Sex, crime in the Islamic context: Rape, class and gender in Pakistan 1994

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