Information Package / Course Catalogue
Gender Inequality and the Economy
Course Code: İKT414
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to examine gender inequalities from an economic perspective and to analyze the differing impacts of economic processes, institutions, and policies on women and men. The course covers topics such as the concept of gender, feminist economic approaches, discrimination in labor markets, wage inequality, invisible labor, the care economy, poverty, development, and social policies, with the aim of enabling students to evaluate economic phenomena from a gender perspective. The course aims to enable students to go beyond traditional economic analysis to understand the social dimensions of economic activities, analyze the causes and consequences of gender-based inequalities, and develop proposals for equitable economic policies.

Course Content

This course examines gender inequalities from an economic perspective. By examining the differing effects of economic processes, institutions, and policies on women and men, the course analyzes the role of gender in economic decisions and outcomes. The course covers key topics such as the concept of gender, feminist economic approaches, gender-based discrimination in labor markets, wage inequality, unpaid and invisible labor, the care economy, poverty, development processes, and social policies. The course aims to enable students to analyze economic phenomena not only through market mechanisms but also within the context of social relations and inequalities. In this framework, the causes and consequences of gender-based economic disparities are examined, and approaches aimed at developing more inclusive and equitable economic policies are discussed.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Can explain the concept of gender and the relationship between gender inequalities and economic processes; can assess the different impacts of economic activities on women and men.
2.By understanding feminist economic approaches and critiques of traditional economic analysis, one can analyze economic phenomena from a gender perspective.
3.Can analyze gender-based discrimination, wage inequality, occupational segregation, and employment disparities in labor markets; can assess the economic and social consequences of these inequalities.
4.Can explain the economic significance of invisible labor, the care economy, the division of labor within the household, and processes of social reproduction; can discuss the role of these areas in economic indicators.
5.Can evaluate economic and social policy approaches that support gender equality; can develop policy recommendations aimed at sustainable and inclusive development.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Feminist Economics: Methods and Approaches – Gülay Toksöz
2.Gender and Development – Naila Kabeer
3.Economics and Gender – Editor: Ufuk Serdaroğlu
4.Economics and Gender – Editors: Ebru Işık, Ufuk Serdaroğlu
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The Concept of Gender and Its Relationship to Economics, The distinction between gender and biological sex, The impact of gender roles on economic behavior, The importance of a gender perspective in economic analysis, Shortcomings in traditional economic approaches
Week 2 - Theoretical
The Visibility of Women in Economic Theory and Feminist Economics, The Gender Perspective in Traditional Economic Theories, The Emergence of Feminist Economics and Its Core Approaches, Criticisms of Mainstream Economics Alternative Forms of Economic Analysis
Week 3 - Theoretical
Gender and Labor Markets, Differences in labor force participation between women and men, Gender-based segmentation of labor markets, Horizontal and vertical occupational segregation, Inequalities in employment opportunities
Week 4 - Theoretical
Discrimination in Labor Markets and Its Economic Consequences, Discrimination in Hiring and Promotion Processes, Statistical Discrimination and Preference Discrimination Approaches, The Effects of Discrimination on Economic Growth and Productivity
Week 5 - Theoretical
Wage Inequality and Gender-Based Income Gaps, The concept of the gender pay gap, Causes of wage inequality, The impact of education, career choice, and years of work, Policies aimed at reducing wage inequality
Week 6 - Theoretical
Invisible Labor and Domestic Production, Unpaid Care Work and Domestic Labor, The Role of Invisible Labor in Economic Calculations, The Economic Impacts of Women’s Care Burden, Division of Labor and Resource Allocation Within the Household
Week 7 - Theoretical
The Care Economy and Social Reproduction, The concept of the care economy, Care services for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, The gender dimension of care work, The role of public policies in the care economy
Week 8 - Theoretical
Midterm Exam and Overall Assessment, Assessment of the topics covered in the first seven weeks, Midterm exam, Student presentations and discussions
Week 9 - Theoretical
Gender and Poverty, The gender dimension of poverty, The concept of women’s poverty, The effects of income, education, and employment inequalities, Policies to combat poverty
Week 10 - Theoretical
Gender, Development, and Economic Growth, The role of women in development processes, The relationship between women’s economic empowerment and development, Gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals, The contribution of women’s labor to economic growth
Week 11 - Theoretical
Globalization, Crises, and Gender; The Effects of Globalization on Women’s Labor; The Different Experiences of Women and Men During Economic Crises; Flexible Work Arrangements and Job Insecurity; Migration and Gender
Week 12 - Theoretical
Social Policies and Gender Equality, Welfare State and Equality Policies, Policies Supporting Women’s Employment, Childcare, Care Services, and Family Policies, Gender-Responsive Budgeting
Week 13 - Theoretical
Gender Inequality and Economic Indicators in Turkey, Women’s labor force participation in Turkey, Wage gaps and the structure of employment, Education, the burden of care, and economic inequalities, Gender policies implemented in Turkey
Week 14 - Theoretical
General Evaluation and Equitable Economic Policies, Evaluation of economic analyses from a gender perspective, Proposals for equitable economic policies, Discussions on the future and student presentations, Course evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%10
Assignment1%10
Midterm Examination1%20
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142370
Assignment1202
Individual Work121236
Midterm Examination1819
Final Examination19110
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)127
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
OÇ-1
4
5
4
5
5
4
3
OÇ-2
5
5
4
3
5
5
5
OÇ-3
5
5
4
3
5
5
5
OÇ-4
4
5
5
4
3
5
4
OÇ-5
5
4
5
3
4
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026