The Economics & Ethics of Gender in the Developing World: Econ 198 or Phil 134

Dr. Denise Dimon Office: 133 Peace and Justice Center Phone: 260-4836 Office Hours: Tues & Thur. 4:00-6:00, Wed. 11:00-12:00, and by appt.

Dr. H. E. Baber Office: 165c Founders Hall Phone: 260-4600 X4401 Office Hours: Tue 12:15 – 2:15 and 4:00 – 6:00; Thu 1:00 – 2:00 and by appointment

Class Meetings: TueThu 2:20-3:45, Olin Hall 130

Texts

· Martha Nussbaum. Women and Human Development

· Susan Moller Okin et. al. Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?

· Additional readings available through class website at http://www.sandiego.edu/~baber/gender

gender in the developing world: revised

	Tuesday	Thursday
Jan 28, 30	Course introduction Look at gender inequality at the start of the 21^st century	Continued review of gender inequality, by regions and countries; gender and poverty
Feb 4, 6	How gender inequality hinders development	Social norms
Feb 11, 13	Laws and economic institutions	Power, Incentives and resources in the household
Feb 18, 20	Is economic development good for gender equality	Public policies and strategies to promote gender equality?
Feb 25, 27	Africa presentation, short paper (no grade) on cultural relativism	A case of honor killing, discussion of cultural relativism
Mar 4, 6	Summing up and review for Test 1	Test 1
Mar 11, 13	Spring Break – No Class	Spring Break – No Class
Mar 18, 20	Ethical Theory Intro.	Ethical Theory: Utilitarianism as a sample theory
Mar 25, 27	More on Utilitarianism and Objections to Utilitarianism	Consequentialism
Apr 1, 3	Welfarism: hedonism, preference utilitarianism & objective list theories	Utilitarianism and sum-ranking: the problem of distributive justice
Apr 8, 10	Liberalism and it’s critics: Communitarianism & Identity Politics	Appiah “Color Conscious” & Baber “Gender Conscious”
Apr 15, 17	Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women? Review questions available.	Holy Thursday – no classes
Apr 22, 24	Summing up and review for Test 2	Test 2
Apr 29, May 1	Multinationals and Women’s Labor in the Developing World	Sex Trade
May 13, 15	Protective Labor Market Legislation
May 20, 22	Term Paper Due

Course Objectives

Inequities, driven by poverty, social norms and institutions, affect both men in the developing world. Yet cultural traditions, scant economic resources and limited opportunities marginalize women. Young boys have better access to health care, nutrition and education and gender bias is reinforced throughout adulthood as men retain economic and political power.

The situation of women in the developing world raises challenging economic and ethical questions. As economic growth continues throughout the world, why are some countries, and groups within countries, such as women, being left behind? To the extent that the plight of women in the developing world is a consequence of entrenched assumptions and practices it poses the larger questions of whether “cultural relativism” is plausible and whether support for “diversity” is morally acceptable.

This course will address both the economic and ethical issues concerning women in the developing world.

Course requirements

Two equally weighted exams will account for 50% of your course grade. Participation will account for 20% of your grade. Your term paper/project will account for the remaining 30% of your grade for the course.

· Exam 1............................................... 25%

· Exam 2............................................... 25%

· Participation..................................... 20%

· Paper/Project..................................... 30%

Professor Baber will supervise the paper for those receiving credit in philosophy, while Professor Dimon will supervise the paper for those receiving credit in economics. All papers and projects must be approved by one of the instructors. Please be prepared to discuss the readings and topics assigned each week. We will also have some "case" readings and/or current topics which will be discussed in class. You are encouraged to bring in any relevant current issues pertaining to the topics currently under discussion or previously discussed.

Course Conduct

Make-up exams will be given only if prior arrangement is made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled exam. No late papers will be accepted after the assigned due date.

Acts of academic dishonesty are taken seriously and dealt with harshly, following the University's academic integrity procedures. Acts of academic dishonesty include: a) unauthorized assistance on an examination; b) falsification or invention of data; c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise; d) plagiarism.

Prerequisites: If you are taking this course for credit in economics the prerequisite is Econ 2; there are no prerequisites if you are taking this course for credit in philosophy.