Empowerment, Gender and Community Development

Undergraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
POLI 2004
Course ID icon
Course ID
200974
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
2
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course aims to examine key concepts and theoretical frameworks with a focus on development terms, such as community, participation, sustainability, gender, equality and empowerment. We explore the use of these concepts in development practice and policy. These include poverty and gender; the empowerment of women through work and microfinance; and proposed empowerment of communities through the girl effect. Corporate community development is examined, as is the practice of volunteer/cultural tourism as sustainable community development; the issue of human rights at the level of local communities; and analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals from the standpoint of gender and community.

Course learning outcomes

  • Have a secure and accurate understanding of the nature and theories of development at the community and/or grassroots level as well as the main critiques of development from a gender-based perspective
  • Knowledge of and insight into key issues and concerns raised about the nature of development and development studies from a critical perspective
  • Ability to understand and apply key theoretical approaches to contemporary development contexts and situations
  • Capacity to critically evaluate central themes, propositions, and concepts in development studies, particularly those concerned with community development and gender-based development
  • Commitment to an academically rigorous comprehension of the diversity of gendered, community and participatory development contexts, policies, and practices
  • Understanding of and commitment to continuous learning and research into development policies and programs, and acknowledgement of specific cultural and social issues in global development programs and policies

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A