Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Courses

IGS725 Gender and Public Policy

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This is an introduction to decision-making processes and current and contemporary legal and social debates over public policy directly affecting women in major spheres of public life, with a focus on the Lebanese and Arab contexts (e.g., citizenship, political participation, foreign domestic workers, etc.). Topics may focus on public health, political participation, employment policies and practices, etc.

IGS730 Theories of Gender and Global Feminism

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This interdisciplinary seminar is focused on contemporary feminist theories and theories of gender. It will examine the broad range of theories that make up the body of contemporary scholarship referred to as “feminist theory” and the fundamental questions these theories raise about the origins of gender difference, the nature and origins of patriarchy, the intersections between gender, race, class, sexuality, and nationality as categories of analysis and bases of oppression or empowerment.

IGS732 Arab and Islamic Feminisms (history and theory)

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines the nature, development, and articulation of Arab and Islamic feminisms and the debates around them. It highlights the intellectual work of prominent Arab/Muslim feminists, and includes an examination of Islamic feminist thought and its relation to Islamic jurisprudence, with a critical evaluation of how interpretations of the Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic Hadith/Sayings) have shaped and continue to affect the lives of women in the Arab/Muslim world.

IGS744 Topics in Women and Gender Studies

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The choice of the topic depends on current issues in women & gender studies and the interest of the concerned professor (media & gender representation; gender & sexual identities; gender & religion; etc.)

May be repeated for credit with topic or instructor change.

IGS744 A Gender in Development and Humanitarian Assistance

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course explores the integration and mainstreaming of gender issues in both development and humanitarian contexts using an academic social science framework. This course will also examine gender issues in these contexts from the perspective of policy-making and implementation, combining both theoretical and practical perspectives. It will provide students with the necessary analytical and conceptual skills needed to understand gender issues in both development and humanitarian settings, enabling them to participate effectively in gender and development-related research, policy, and practice. This course begins with fundamental ideas on gender issues in development and humanitarian assistance and includes lectures and discussions by expert practitioners in this field with extensive on-the-ground experience.

IGS744 B Gender and Citizenship: An Incomplete Status for Arab Women

[3–0, 3 cr.]

With few exceptions, Arab women are not allowed to pass on their citizenship to their non-national spouses and children. This course sheds light on the issue of gender and citizenship in the Arab world, highlights the nationalist discourse that surrounds the issue, and analyses the concept and practice of citizenship. It offers case studies from various Arab countries as well as other countries. It also discusses the problems that arise as a result where this problem is a constant source of instability and humiliation for the families of these women. 

IGS744 C Crimes of Honor

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course sheds light on the phenomenon of crimes of honor where issues related to its value and meanings are debated. It also highlights the approaches of the United Nations to such crimes and the role of “community discourse” in combating these crimes. It uses examples from the Arab world (Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, the Kurds, etc.) as well as Pakistan. The course also gives examples of case studies of honor killings in the West and Latin America. The course also discusses different initiatives across the Arab world that have brought the issue to light and attempted to put an end to this issue by changing the existing laws or annulling them.

IGS744 D GBV Prevention and Response: A Case Management Perspective

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course introduces students to concepts related to working holistically with survivors of gender-based violence. It teaches students how to assess the situation of survivors of all forms of GBV, viewing case management as both a process and an outcome that enables survivors to access a full range of support options. Students gain concrete practical skills in providing case management services to survivors in compliance with ethical and safety guidelines, and learn to promote a survivor-centered approach to case management as well as the basic skills required to work safely and ethically with survivors. Students also acquire survivor-centered communication skills, learn more about service mapping and setting up a case management program, as well as safe and ethical information management. 

IGS760 Methods of Inquiry in Interdisciplinary Contexts

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course will provide an overview of a variety of feminist and gender research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, used mostly in social science research. It will introduce students to the different forms and common themes of feminist research, and how to design a research project, select the most appropriate theory and methodology for answering a specific research question, and collect and analyze/interpret data. Students will be required to complete a major assignment in which they pick a topic of interest and suggest at least three different research methodologies that could be used to investigate that topic.

IGS780 Active Learning and Research (internship in a local, regional, or international NGO working on gender issues in Lebanon or a country of their choice)

[6 cr.]

Students are required to complete an internship in a local, regional, or international organization working on women’s issues in the Middle East (ending Gender-Based Violence, rights of foreign female domestic workers, amending personal status laws for Lebanese women, increasing political participation of women, etc). The internship will be assessed on the basis of a written evaluative report and discussion with the faculty advisor. This course is geared towards providing students with hands-on, practical experience in the field, and the possibility to put (feminist) theory into practice. Students are required to submit an analytical report on the project undertaken upon completion of the internship.