Feminism Concepts & Theories Course | IIT Madras | Prof. Mathangi Krishnamurthy
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 362 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Feminism: Concepts and Theories - A Comprehensive 12-Week Course Guide
Feminism is more than a buzzword; it is a critical lens through which to understand power, society, and our everyday lives. For students, educators, and the intellectually curious, a structured exploration of its concepts and theories is invaluable. This article provides a detailed overview of the 12-week course "Feminism: Concepts and Theories" offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), instructed by the renowned Prof. Mathangi Krishnamurthy.
About the Course and Instructor
This undergraduate-level course, spanning 12 weeks, is designed to evaluate the rise and trajectory of the feminist movement and explicate its core concepts. It investigates how feminism has developed, its organization around questions of gender, its mandate, and its contemporary relevance. Through case studies, literature, ethnography, and theory, the course demonstrates why feminist analysis is critical to our world.
The course is led by Prof. Mathangi Krishnamurthy, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at IIT Madras's Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. With a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin and postdoctoral experience at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Prof. Krishnamurthy brings deep expertise. Her research focuses on the anthropology of work, gender, medical anthropology, and urban studies. She is the author of the acclaimed book "1-800-Worlds: The Making of the Indian Call Centre Economy" (OUP, 2018), which examines labour practices within the socio-political context of India's new middle class.
Who Should Take This Course?
The course is intended for a broad audience, making it an excellent resource for:
- Undergraduates & Graduates in humanities, social sciences, or any field seeking a foundational understanding of feminism.
- Instructors looking for a structured curriculum or teaching resources.
- The General Audience interested in a rigorous, academic yet accessible exploration of feminist thought.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is meticulously structured to build knowledge from foundational concepts to complex contemporary applications.
| Week | Topic | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, History and Vocabulary | Establishing core definitions and historical context of the feminist movement. |
| Week 2 | Key Concepts - 1 | Foundational ideas like patriarchy, sex vs. gender, and oppression. |
| Week 3 | Key Concepts - 2 | Intersectionality, privilege, and the matrix of domination. |
| Week 4 | Key Concepts - 3 | Agency, resistance, and the personal as political. |
| Week 5 | The Three Waves of Feminism | Historical evolution from suffrage to postmodern critiques. |
| Week 6 | The Feminist Body | Bodily autonomy, reproduction, sexuality, and body politics. |
| Week 7 | Indian Feminism | Specific histories, movements, and debates within the Indian context. |
| Week 8 | Feminism and Work/Labour | Gender division of labour, unpaid care work, and global economies (connecting to Prof. Krishnamurthy's expertise). |
| Week 9 | Feminism in Film and Theatre | Narrative analysis, representation, and feminist cultural production. |
| Week 10 | Popular Culture, Social Media and Feminism | Hashtag activism, media representations, and contemporary digital movements. |
| Week 11 | Gender, Queer Theory, and Post-Structuralism | Deconstructing binary gender, performativity, and advanced theoretical frameworks. |
| Week 12 | Learnings and Conclusions | Synthesizing course themes and discussing the future of feminist praxis. |
Essential Reading List
The course curriculum is supported by seminal texts that provide depth and perspective:
- hooks, bell. Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press. A concise and powerful manifesto arguing for an inclusive, accessible feminism.
- Hughes, Christina. Key Concepts in Feminist Theory and Research. Sage Publications. Serves as a crucial reference for understanding the terminology and frameworks used in feminist scholarship.
- Menon, Nivedita. Seeing Like a Feminist. Zubaan/Penguin. An indispensable Indian perspective that demystifies feminist politics in relation to the family, marriage, violence, and the state.
Why This Course Matters
This course moves beyond a superficial understanding of feminism. By blending global theory with specific case studies—particularly from India—and covering areas from labour to pop culture, it offers a holistic education. Under the guidance of Prof. Mathangi Krishnamurthy, students gain insights from a scholar actively contributing to the fields of gender and labour studies. Whether you aim to formalize your knowledge or simply become a more informed citizen, this structured journey through feminist concepts and theories is an invaluable intellectual pursuit.
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