MANE-004 IGNOU Handwritten Assignment 2026-27

Course Scope and Syllabus Overview for MANE-004: Gender and Society

MANE-004: Gender and Society is a core course under the IGNOU Master’s in Anthropology (MAAN) programme, designed to critically examine the intersections of gender with social structures, cultural practices, and institutional frameworks. This course explores gender as a dynamic social construct, analyzing its historical evolution, theoretical underpinnings, and contemporary implications in public policy and governance. Through a multidisciplinary lens, students engage with feminist theories, cross-cultural perspectives, and empirical studies to understand how gender shapes—and is shaped by—social stratification, work, and institutional norms. The curriculum equips learners with analytical tools to evaluate gender disparities, policy interventions, and grassroots movements, ensuring a rigorous preparation for academic and professional applications in social sciences.

Key Syllabus Units and Topics

• Block-1: Approaches to the Study of Gender: Introduces foundational methodologies in gender studies, including anthropological, sociological, and feminist perspectives, emphasizing interdisciplinary research techniques to dissect gendered realities.
• Block-2: Theorising Gender: Delves into critical theories such as liberal feminism, Marxist feminism, post-structuralism, and intersectionality, examining their theoretical frameworks and applications in analyzing societal power dynamics.
• Block-4: Gender Relations in Social Institutions: Investigates how gender norms manifest in family structures, education, religion, and law, with case studies illustrating institutional resistance and reform.
• Block-5: Gender and Work: Analyzes labor market disparities, occupational segregation, and the gender wage gap, linking micro-level experiences to macroeconomic and policy-level factors.
• Block-8: Women in India and Some Insights: Focuses on gender-specific challenges in India, including legal reforms, political representation, and cultural practices, while comparing regional variations and policy responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for MANE-004 assignments, and how many marks are allocated to each block?
A: MANE-004 assignments typically carry 30% of the total course weight, with marks distributed proportionally across all eight blocks. Each unit’s contribution is evaluated based on depth of analysis, theoretical grounding, and application to real-world contexts.

Q: Are there specific pass marks for MANE-004 assignments, and how does IGNOU assess handwritten submissions?
A: IGNOU requires a minimum of 40% marks in assignments to qualify for the final examination. Handwritten submissions are evaluated for clarity, adherence to question requirements, and academic rigor, with legibility and formatting (e.g., margins, cover page) ensuring no deductive penalties.