GOVT 153 CM - Women Leaders in the Middle East: Politicians, Preachers, Activists and Entrepreneurs

This course will explore the varying role of women in the politics, economies and societies of the Middle East. Whereas the popular discourse in the West often focuses heavily on issues of repression and gender inequality in the region, the course will go further to examine the phenomenon of “leadership in unlikely places”, studying the achievements and experiences of exceptional women in the realms of government, civil society and business. Students will explore when and how women are able to cross traditional gender boundaries. Course content will address both the structural conditions and the personal characteristics that make exceptional female accomplishments possible. Going beyond feminist theory, the class will survey the comparative empirical evidence of female achievement across Middle Eastern countries and provide students with the opportunity to study specific cases of individual leadership in depth.

Prerequisite: GOVT 020 CM

Offered: Every other year

Credit: 1

Course Number: GOVT153 CM