Detailed Syllabus Outline
- Introduction to Gender Studies
- Difference between Gender and Women Studies
- Multi-disciplinary nature of Gender Studies
- Autonomy vs. Integration Debate in Gender Studies
- Status of Gender Studies in Pakistan
- Historicizing Constructionism
- Problematizing the category of “Sex”: Queer Theory
- Is “Sex” socially determined, too?
- Masculinities and Feminism
- Nature versus Culture: A Debate in Gender Development
- What is Feminism
- Liberal Feminism
- Radical Feminism
- Marxist/Socialist Feminism
- Psychoanalytical Feminism
- Men’s Feminism
- Postmodern Feminism
- Feminist Movements in the West, First W ave, Second Wave and Third Wave Feminism, United Nation Conferences on Women, Feminist Movements in Pakistan.
- Colonial and Capitalistic Perspectives of Gender
- Gender Analysis of Development Theories; Modernization Theory, World System
- Theory, Dependency Theory, Structural Functionalism.
- Gender Approaches to Development: Women in Development (WID), Women and Development (WAD), Gender and Development (GAD); Gender Critique of Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs).
- Globalization and Gender
- Status of Women’s health in Pakistan
- Status of Women in Education
- Women and Employment
- Women and Law
- Defining Governance
- Suffragist Movement
- Gender Issues in Women as Voters
- Gender Issues in Women as Candidates
- Gender Issues in Women as Representatives
- Impact of Political Quota in Pakistan
- Defining Gender Based Violence
- Theories of Violence against Women
- Structural and Direct Forms of Violence
- Strategies to Eliminate Violence against Women
- Mukhtaran Mai
- Mallala Yousaf Zai
- Shermin Ubaid Chinoy
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Theories of Women Studies | Eds., Bowles. Gloria and Renate D. Klein |
| Introduction: Theories of Women Studies and the Autonomy/ Integration Debate in Theories of Women Studies. | Bowles G and Renate, K. |
| The State of the Discipline of Women Studies in Pakistan in Social Sciences in Pakistan | Saigol, Rubina |
| The State of Women Studies in Pakistan in Journal of Asian Women Studies | Bari, Farzana |
| Women’s Law in Legal Education and Practice in Pakistan. | Shaheed, F. and Mehdi, R. (ed.) (1997) |
| Locating the self: Perspectives on Women and Multiple Identities. | Khan, N.S. et al.(ed.) (1998) |
| The Social Construction of Gender | Lorber, Judith |
| Queer Theory | Lorber, Judith |
| Gender,USA, | Harriet Bradley(2013) |
| Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back. | Mumtaz,Khawar& Shaheed, Farida(1987) |
| Feminism and its Relevance in South Asia | Saeed K, Nighat & Bahsin, Kamla |
| Feminist Thoughts | Tong, Rosemarie |
| Reversed Realities | Kabeer, Naila |
| Gender Planning and Development | Moser, Caroline |
| Electoral Politics: Making Quotas Work For Women. | Hoodfar,Homa&Tajali, Mona (2011) |
| The Gender face of Asian Politics | Ayaz, Aazar & Fleschenberg, Andrea(2009) |
| Performance Assessment of Women Parliamentarians in Pakistan | Bari, Farzan (2002) |
| Base line Report: Women’s Participation in Political and Public Life | Zia, Shahla & Bari, Farzana. (1999) |
| Freedom from Violence | Schuler, Margarte (1992) |
| Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Report | Unknown |
Scoring in Gender Studies
Gender Studies (100 marks) is a modern, theory-driven subject that requires academic detachment and a clear understanding of feminist waves and gender dynamics.
1. Feminist Waves and Theories: Clearly distinguish between Liberal, Radical, Marxist, and Eco-feminism. Identify which wave of feminism addresses specific modern issues.
2. Gender and Development: This is critical for Pakistan. Use frameworks like WID (Women in Development) and GAD (Gender and Development) to analyze economic empowerment.
3. Local Context and Statistics: When referencing gender-based violence, health, or political participation, use exact statistics from authentic sources like the Aurat Foundation, UN Women, or the Demographic and Health Survey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Gender Studies carry in the CSS Exam?
Gender Studies is a 100-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Gender Studies?
The syllabus primarily revolves around I. Introduction to Gender Studies, II. Social Construction of Gender, III. Feminist Theories and Practice and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Gender Studies a scoring subject?
Yes, Gender Studies is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Gender Studies?
For a 100-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 2 to 3 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Gender Studies?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include Eds., Bowles. Gloria and Renate D. Klein and Bowles G and Renate, K.. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Gender Studies to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Gender Studies from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Gender Studies preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Gender Studies is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Gender Studies subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Gender Studies overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Gender Studies can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Gender Studies?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.