A planned postgraduate course on the 'Economics of Gender' at Delhi University has been sent back for a major revision. This decision came after strong objections were raised against its inclusion of topics like intimate partner violence and crimes against women, with critics arguing they fall outside the realm of traditional economics.
Committee Clash Over Syllabus Content
The controversy erupted during a meeting of the university's standing committee on Monday. The course, designed as an elective for the second semester of the two-year MA Economics program, aimed to explore persistent gender inequalities. However, several committee members took issue with Unit 3, titled 'Crime and Gender'. They contended that its focus on the economic theories behind intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and workplace violence was 'ideologically loaded' and lacked a direct correlation with economics.
One member, who objected to the syllabus, stated that the paper seemed hastily prepared. They pointed out a perceived mismatch between the course's stated objectives and the theories it suggested. 'The house requested the department to revisit the syllabus and frame it properly with appropriate readings,' the member explained, noting that vagueness also led to other courses being returned for revision.
Department Head's Defense and Overruled Stance
Faculty members present at the meeting reported that the head of the Economics department, Professor Rohini Somanathan, strongly defended the proposed syllabus. She argued that violence against women is a well-established field of economic research. Professor Somanathan emphasized the extensive scholarly literature examining its costs and implications for national growth and development.
Despite this defense, the standing committee's objections prevailed. The course was ultimately sent back to the department for a comprehensive review and reframing. There has been no immediate public comment from Professor Somanathan following the committee's decision.
History Syllabus Also Faces Scrutiny
The meeting also saw objections raised against second-semester History syllabi. Some committee members alleged an overemphasis on global history. The History department countered this claim, maintaining that nearly 70% of their program focuses on Indian history and that a global perspective is integral to modern academic study.
Nevertheless, the committee directed the department to drop several specific readings. These readings dealt with themes of gender, society, and slavery, indicating a broader pattern of scrutiny over content related to social structures and inequality in the latest syllabus revisions.
This incident highlights ongoing debates within academic institutions about curriculum boundaries, the integration of interdisciplinary social issues into traditional disciplines, and what constitutes core subject matter.
