Contents of the subject

Provisional programme:

1. INTRO: Why do we need a feminist perspective on economics? 
2. WORK: Paid and unpaid work
3. CARE: Caring economy
4. INTERSECTIONALITY: Queer economics
5. ECOLOGY: Ecofeminism
6. TIME: Economics of time
7. Introduction to the concept of sustainability, sustainable development and planetary boundaries
8. Theorising nature – society – capitalism
9. Can we decouple economic growth from environmental resources? Perspectives of environmental economics vs. ecological economics
10. Are we growth dependent? Focus on employment, social security system, public debt
11. Beyond growth, beyond development: which sustainable paths?
12. What can we do and what is being done? Insight from case studies
13. Feminist and Ecological Economics, joint class

Qualification aims of the subject

The course will be divided into two sections: 1) feminist and 2) ecological economics. In the first part students will learn about the influence of gender differences regarding economic and financial power and how leading organisations calculate gender-based inequalities. Feminist economics deal with structural injustices concerning care and house work, labour market participation and decision-making positions – to only name a few. We discuss several concepts and try to find similarities with ecological economic approaches. Thus, in the second part of the course, students will develop knowledge on the concepts of sustainability and environment. The focus will be given on the link between economic theories and environmental issues. The sustainability of economic growth will be questioned, and alternatives for sustainable economies will be presented and discussed.

The nature of the examination / requirements for the award of credit points

Written assignment (4000 words), in which the students demonstrate their general understanding of relevant theories and deepen and apply this to a certain topic in the area of feminist ecological economics.

Additional information

Teaching and learning forms

Lecture and discussion in group based on pre-circulated texts

Participation requirements

All courses of the 1st semester of the MA International Economics or the MA Political Economy of European Integration; MA LPG