IGNOU MWG 001 Important Questions With Answers English Medium

MWG 001 Theories of Women and Gender Studies is a course offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) that explores the theoretical underpinnings of women's and gender studies.

Course Structure:

• Block 1: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
• Block 2: History of Women's Movements
• Block 3: Queer Liberation
• Block 4: Feminist Critiques of Knowledge
• Block 5: Feminist Theories
• Block 6: Queer Theory

Q.1 Discuss the shift from the 19th to the end of the 20th century in terms of the women's movement in India showing how the women's question is a social question.

The transition from the 19th to the late 20th century in India witnessed a significant shift in the landscape of women's rights, marking the evolution of the women's movement. This transformative period saw a departure from the restrictive gender norms prevalent in the 19th century to a more progressive and inclusive approach towards women's roles and equality by the close of the 20th century. 

IGNOU MWG 001 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-The women's question, encapsulating issues related to women's rights and societal standing, emerged as a central social concern demanding attention, activism, and reform.

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During the 19th century, India was deeply entrenched in traditional patriarchal structures that relegated women to subordinate roles within both the family and society. Practices such as child marriage, the dowry system, and purdah perpetuated the subjugation of women. The early 20th century witnessed initial movements for change, with social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar advocating for women's education and challenging practices like sati. However, these efforts faced resistance from conservative elements within society and were limited in scope.

The early 20th century also saw the emergence of women-led movements, such as the suffragette movement, advocating for women's voting rights. The 20th-century women's movement in India gained momentum with pioneers like Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Nehru, and Annie Besant focusing on basic rights, education, and social reforms. The women's question began to be acknowledged as a legitimate social issue, expanding the discourse surrounding it.

IGNOU MWG 001 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-As India moved towards independence in 1947, the post-independence era became a turning point for the women's movement. The framing of the Indian Constitution laid the foundation for gender equality, emphasizing principles of justice, liberty, and equality. Activists like Rani Lakshmibai, Savitribai Phule, and Pandita Ramabai challenged societal norms, paving the way for future generations. The Constitution guaranteed equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of gender, providing a legal framework to address the women's question.

The 1950s and 1960s witnessed the formation of women's organizations and the growth of women's studies. The focus shifted beyond legal rights to address social and economic inequalities. Gender became central to understanding the impact of societal structures on men and women. The women's movement evolved into a broader social movement, recognizing the interconnectedness of the women's question with larger issues of social justice, economic empowerment, and political participation.

The late 20th century saw diversification and intensification of the women's movement. Issues like workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, domestic violence, and sexual harassment took center stage. Grassroots movements and activism gained momentum, with women from various socio-economic backgrounds joining forces to challenge systemic inequalities. The slogan "The personal is political" encapsulated the understanding that individual experiences of oppression and discrimination reflected broader societal structures.

IGNOU MWG 001 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-The 1980s and 1990s witnessed landmark legal reforms, including the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Maternity Benefit Act, addressing specific concerns related to women. The establishment of the National Commission for Women in 1992 marked a formal recognition of the women's question as a social issue requiring systematic interventions.

Simultaneously, the women's movement engaged in critical dialogues with other social movements, recognizing the intersectionality of oppression. Issues of caste, class, and religion became intertwined with gender, and feminists started addressing these complexities. The women's question was now seen as inseparable from broader questions of social justice and human rights.

Q.2 Explain how the notion of 'sexual norms' can be challenged through an understanding of the social construction of sexuality.

Q.3 Discuss the various aspects of Marxist feminism and feminist critiques to Marxist theory.

Q.4 What are some of the challenges represented by post-colonial feminism to •mainstream western feminism ? To what extent is a critique of postcolonial feminist theory possible ? Elaborate on both issues.

Q.5 How is the language of sexuality rights tied to the idea of the democratic contract ? Discuss with the help of suitable examples.

Q.6 “Socialist feminist ideas help us understand the nature of women’s exploitation under global capitalism in third world countries.” Do you agree or disagree ? Discuss.

Q.7 Discuss varying perspectives on the nature- culture binary within the framework of ecofeminism. Q.8 “Given the extreme sexual violence that women in India continue to be subjected to, it is more important to focus on issues of sexual violations and women’s security than on sexual pleasure and women’s freedom.” Agree or disagree with this statement and justify your position.

Q.9 Discuss the major feminist interventions in either the discipline of anthropology or the discipline of philosophy.

Q.10 Discuss the feminist critique of Freudian psychoanalytic theories, with reference to the work of specific feminist scholars.

Q.11 What has been the role of the public/private dichotomy in the evolution of the women's movement in the west, as well as in the backlash towards this movement ? Discuss.

Q.12 What do you understand by the dalit feminist critique of dalit patriarchy ? Discuss with the help of examples.

Q.13 Explain the term 'Sexual hierarchy' in the context of patriarchy. Elaborate with the help of examples from day to day life situations, explaining how we can hope to move away from such structures.

Q.14 What are the pitfalls of cultural essentialism in the context of queer liberation ? Using Ratna Kapur's argument, discuss how these limitations can be countered.

Q.15 What do you understand by the phrase "feminist reclamations of certain forms of knowledge" ? Discuss with the support of works by feminist scholars.

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