SYLLABI FOR CERTIFICATE COURSE IN WOMEN’S STUDIES THROUGH DISTANCE EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS OF PUNJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH

Paper I: Conceptualising Women’s Studies
Max. Marks: 100
Theory : 80
Int. Ass : 20
Time : 3 hours
Objective: The objective of this course is to conscientise the students about some of the
key concepts in Women’s Studies and their understanding from a feminist and gender
perspective.
NOTE:
- The candidate will be assessed for 80 marks on the basis of a written
examination and for 20 marks internal assessment.
- There shall be 9 questions in all. The first question shall be compulsory
containing 15 short questions spread over the whole syllabus to be answered
in about 25 to 30 words each. The candidate is required to attempt any
10 short answer type questions carrying 2 marks each (20 marks). Rest of the
paper shall contain 4 units. Each Unit shall have two questions and the
candidate shall attempt one question from each unit- 4 in all.
Course Contents

Unit I: Foundational Concepts (from Women’s Studies Perspective)- I
- Sex and Gender
- Gender Stereotypes
- Patriarchy
- Equality
- Empowerment
Unit II: Foundational Concepts (from Women’s Studies Perspective) -II
- Violence
- Work
- Health
- Development
Unit III: Feminism
- Definition
- Strands of Feminism-

Liberal

Radical

Marxist

Socialist
(Note: The focus will be on a general understanding of the various strands of
feminism and not on any particular feminist thinker.)
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Unit IV: Women’s Studies:
- Definition
- Origin and Scope of Women’s Studies
- Women’s Studies and New Economic Policy
- UGC Initiatives for Promotion of Women’s Studies
Essential Readings
Anderson, Margaret, Thinking About Women, Macmillan, New York, 1993.
Connel, R.W., Gender, Polity, Cambridge, 2002.
Jain, Devaki and Rajput, Pam, (eds), Narratives from the Women’s Studies Family,
Sage, New Delhi, 2003.
Lorber, Judith and Farell, Susan A. (ed), The Social Construction of Gender,
Sage, New Delhi, 1991.
Rajput, Pam & Kaur, Manvinder, “Women’s Studies in Higher Education in India: Some
Reflections”, Samyukta, Vol III, No.1, January 2003.
Further Readings
Gupta, Abha & Sinha, Smita (eds) Empowerment of Women: Language and Other
Facets, Mangal Deep Pub, Jaipur, 2005.
Hearn, Jeff, The Gender of Oppression: Men, Masculinity and the Critique of
Marxism, Wheatsheaf Books, Sussex, 1987.
Ruth, Sheila, Issues in Feminism: An Introduction to Women’s Studies, Mayfield
Publishing Company, California, 1990.
Singh, Indu Prakash, Indian Women: The Power Trapped, Galaxy Pub, New Delhi,
1991.
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Paper II: National and International Initiatives for Women
Max.Marks: 100
Theory : 80
Int. Ass : 20
Time : 3 hours
Objective: This course aims at conscientising the students about the efforts made at the
national and international levels for women’s empowerment and development through
legal provisions as well as through international conferences and conventions.
NOTE:
- The candidate will be assessed for 80 marks on the basis of a written
examination and for 20 marks internal assessment.
- There shall be 9 questions in all. The first question shall be compulsory
containing 15 short questions spread over the whole syllabus to be answered
in about 25 to 30 words each. The candidate is required to attempt any 10
short answer type questions carrying 2 marks each (20 marks). Rest of the
paper shall contain 4 units. Each Unit shall have two questions and the
candidate shall attempt one question from each unit- 4 in all.
Course Contents
Unit I: Women and Law in India: An introduction to laws relating to
- Dowry, Rape and Domestic Violence
- Marriage and Divorce
Unit II: Women and Human Rights:
- Fundamental Rights and Women: de jure and de facto position
- Directive Principles of State Policy and women’s rights with special reference
to Articles 39, 42, 43 and 44
- Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW)
Unit III: Government Policies and Programmes for Women:
- National Policy for Empowerment of Women, 2001
- National Commission for Women
- 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution of India and their
Implementation (with reference to provisions relating to women)
Unit IV: United Nations and Women’s Issues:
- UN Organs working on women’s issues: Commission on the Status of Women
(CSW), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- UN Conferences on Women:

Mexico (1975)

Copenhagen (1980)

Nairobi (1985)

Beijing. (1995)
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Essential Readings
Aggarwal, Nomita, Women and Law in India, New Century Publication, Delhi, 2002.
Basu, D.D., Introduction to The Constitution of India, Wadhwa & Co. Agra, 2001.
Chawla, Monica, Gender Justice: Women and Law in India, Deep & Deep, New
Delhi, 2006.
Shams, Shamusuddin, Women, Law and Social Change, Ashish Publishing House,
New Delhi, 1991.
Swapna Mukhopadhyay, In the Name of Justice: Women and Law in Society,
Manohar, New Delhi, 1998.
T, Brettel, Dawson, (ed), Women, Law and Social Change: Core Reading and
Current Issues, 2nd ed, O N.Captus Press, New York, 1990.
Relevant Bare Acts
United Nations Documents:
- United Nations and The Advancement of Women (1945-1996)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women, (CEDAW) 1979
- Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies (1980)
- Platform for Action and the Beijing Declaration, 1995
- Beijing +5 Political Declaration and Outcome Document, 2000
Further Readings
Crites L. Lavra el., Women, The Court and Equality, Sage, New Delhi, 1987.
Diwan, Paras, Dowry and Protection to Married Women, Deep and Deep Publication,
New Delhi, 1987.
Jain, Devaki, Women Development and the UN: A Sixty Year Quest for Equality and
Justice, Orient Longman, Delhi, 2006.
Jaisingh, Indira(ed), Justice for Women: Personal Laws, Women’s Rights and Law
Reforms, The Other India Press, Mapuse, Goa, 1996.
Singh, Indu Prakash, Women, Law and Social Change in India, Radiant, New Delhi,
1989.
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