This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Introduction

 

This Module introduces the gender dimensions of ethics. It aims to increase students' awareness of how even implicit or unconscious gender-based prejudices and biases prevent individuals from leading an ethical life. The Module focuses on gender-based marginalization of women. This is not to suggest that men cannot be discriminated against. However, as recognized by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), women are overwhelmingly subjected to several types of gender-based discrimination and violence throughout the world. The Module discusses different forms of gender-based discrimination suffered by women and considers feminist approaches that developed in response to these harms. It focuses on the relational feminist ethical theory known as the Ethics of Care (EoC) and shows how this framework can help in identifying and addressing gender discrimination. Although the Module focuses on the marginalization of women, many of its insights can be applied to address marginalization of other groups.

The Module is a resource for lecturers. It provides an outline for a three-hour class but can be used for shorter or longer sessions, or extended into a full-fledged course (see: Guidelines to develop a stand-alone course).

 

Learning outcomes

 
  • Define gender, gender discrimination, intersectionality, and the Ethics of Care theory
  • Understand the ways in which people are marginalized based on gender, and the ways in which gender intersects with other structures of power
  • Detect sexism in one's everyday life and understand the ways one can combat it individually and collectively
  • Understand feminism and feminist ethics in their historical context
  • Apply the Ethics of Care theory to address and prevent gender discrimination
  • Demonstrate what it means in one's own everyday life to take a moral position against gender discrimination
 
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