Blockseminar When ‘economic man’ meets ‘global woman’ The feminist economics of trade

Feminist economics is a field within economics that builds both on insights from feminist theory and a growing disapproval of mainstream economics. Its distinguishing characteristic is the persistent questioning of the underlying gender dimension of economics and economic policies. When it comes to the issue of trade, feminist economists analyse the gender-subtext of mainstream and heterodox trade theory, they examine the ways in which unequal gender relations and international trade interact, investigate the impacts of trade policies and try to formulate alternative political frameworks. The seminar aims to introduce students to the broad field of feminist economics through a specific focus on trade. We will cover texts from a variety of perspectives (including neoclassical economics, Marxism and post-structuralism) and draw on a broad range of tools (including theoretical modelling, quantitative research and deconstruction). We will cover evidence from industrialised and agrarian economies and from different economic sectors (including manufacturing and agriculture) and will discuss the impact that feminist economics has had on mainstream perspectives. An economic background is helpful but not required! What is required, however, is an interest in theoretical debates in political economy and openness towards feminism. Literatur: A reader with the required readings will be provided in the first session. For introductory reading we recommend the following texts: - Nelson, Julie A. (1995): Feminism and Economics, in: Journal of Economic Perspectives 9:2, 131-148. - UNCTAD (2004): Trade and Gender. Opportunities and Challenges for Developing Countries, New York/ Geneva: UNCTAD, http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Download.asp?docid=4822&lang=1&intItemID=1397 Studiengänge/ Module: - Global Political Economy Master, MSOC 1 (Advanced Theories of International Political Economy); MSOC 2 (Advanced International Economics), MSOC 8 (Gender & Globalization) - Politikwissenschaft Magister, Studienphase : Hauptstudium - Master Politikwissenschaft, Modul 2 (Theorien politischer Institutionen) - Sozialkunde LA GYM - Sozialkunde LA HR - Wirtschaftspädagogik FB 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften Uni Kassel SS 2008 Wirtschaftspädagogik Politikwissenschaften Eberhardt