BGDG-172 IGNOU Guess Paper 2026-27

Course Scope and Syllabus Overview for BGDG-172: Gender Sensitization Society and Culture

BGDG-172: Gender Sensitization: Society and Culture is a core course under IGNOU’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Political Science (BAPSH) curriculum, designed to critically examine gender dynamics within societal structures, cultural practices, and institutional frameworks. This course integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, political theory, and public policy to analyze how gender intersects with power, representation, and systemic inequalities. Students explore theoretical frameworks like feminist theories, intersectionality, and critical gender studies while applying them to real-world issues such as family norms, labor disparities, health disparities, legal protections, and media portrayal. The curriculum is structured to foster analytical thinking, enabling students to evaluate policies, cultural narratives, and societal attitudes through a gender-sensitive lens.

Key Syllabus Units and Topics

• Block-1 Conceptualizing Gender: This block introduces foundational concepts of gender as a social construct, distinguishing it from biological sex, and explores key theories such as liberal feminism, radical feminism, and post-structuralist approaches. Students analyze how gender roles are historically and culturally constructed, including critiques of essentialism and performativity.
• Block-2 Gender and Family: The focus here is on the intersection of gender and familial structures, examining traditional and evolving family models, domestic labor divisions, and the impact of patriarchal norms. Case studies on child-rearing practices, marital roles, and the economic implications of unpaid care work are central to this unit.
• Block-3 Gender and Work: This block dissects gender disparities in employment, wage gaps, occupational segregation, and the phenomenon of the "double burden" faced by women in the workforce. It also explores policy interventions like affirmative action, flexible work arrangements, and global labor standards from a gender-equity perspective.
• Block-4 Health and Gender: Here, students investigate how gender influences health outcomes, access to healthcare, and biological determinants of illness. Topics include maternal health, reproductive rights, mental health disparities, and the role of gender in public health policies and global health initiatives.
• Block-6 Gender, Representation and Media: This unit critiques the portrayal of gender in media, analyzing stereotypes, feminist media studies, and the impact of digital platforms on gender norms. Students evaluate how media shapes public perception and advocate for inclusive storytelling and counter-narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for the Term-End Examination (TEE) in BGDG-172, and how are internal assignments weighted?
A: The TEE for BGDG-172 carries 100 marks, divided into objective and subjective sections, while internal assignments contribute 30 marks (20% of the total grade). Assignments are typically based on case studies, reflective essays, or policy critiques, requiring students to engage deeply with course material.

Q: Are there repeated questions in past TEE papers for BGDG-172, and how can I identify high-weightage topics?
A: Yes, certain themes—such as feminist theories, gender and labor policies, and media representation—recur frequently in past papers. Reviewing solved question papers from the last 5–10 years (June/December cycles) reveals recurring patterns, particularly in Blocks 1, 3, and 6, where conceptual and applied questions dominate.