MWG-102 IGNOU Guess Paper 2026-27

Course Scope and Syllabus Overview for MWG-102: Gender and Power

MWG-102: Gender and Power, a core component of IGNOU’s Master of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies (MAWGSR), critically examines the intersections of gender, power dynamics, and societal structures. This course, aligned with the CBCS framework, explores theoretical frameworks, historical contexts, and contemporary debates on how power manifests in gender relations, institutional frameworks, and community practices. Students engage with feminist theories, postcolonial critiques, and interdisciplinary analyses to dissect gendered power hierarchies, state policies, and institutional mechanisms. The syllabus is designed to equip learners with analytical tools to evaluate gendered inequalities, state interventions, and community-based power dynamics, ensuring a rigorous preparation for academic and professional applications in gender studies.

Key Syllabus Units and Topics

• Block-1 Concepts: This block introduces foundational theories of gender, including liberal feminism, Marxist feminist critiques, and postmodern gender studies, while analyzing how power operates within patriarchal systems and ideological frameworks.
• Block-2 Gender and Other Structural Inequalities: Focuses on the interplay between gender and caste, class, race, and ethnicity, examining how these intersections amplify or mitigate power disparities in marginalized communities.
• Block-3 Gender, State and Community: Explores the role of the state in shaping gender policies, legal frameworks, and social welfare programs, alongside community-level power dynamics in grassroots activism and resistance.
• Block-4 Gender and Institutions: Investigates how institutions—such as education, media, and labor markets—reinforce or challenge gendered power structures, with case studies on workplace discrimination and institutional reform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for MWG-102 Term-End Examination (TEE), and how are internal assignments weighted?
A: The TEE for MWG-102 carries 100 marks, with assignments (typically 2-3) contributing 30% of the total evaluation. Assignments are graded based on critical engagement with course material, analytical depth, and adherence to academic writing standards.

Q: Which units in MWG-102 frequently appear as repeated questions in past TEE papers, and how can I prioritize revision?
A: Blocks 2 (Gender and Other Structural Inequalities) and 3 (Gender, State and Community) consistently feature in repeated questions due to their interdisciplinary focus. Prioritize these blocks while cross-referencing solved question papers for recurring themes in theoretical frameworks and case studies.