University of Sussex

This course considers development processes in the light of how they are shaped by and impact gender discourses and relations. The course covers key concepts in the analysis of social relations between women and men in different cultural, economic and political contexts. This includes examining the nature of gender inequality and of the household as a social construct, and reviewing concepts of power and empowerment. While concerned with providing a theoretical and conceptual grounding by reviewing debates on the household and the gender division of labor, the course is organized around substantive and policy topics related to poverty, labor markets, women's employment, migration, and globalization..

In this course, students explore how children acquire language and the factors influencing early language development. While language learning may seem effortless,  students examine various aspects of acquisition to understand this complex process. Topics include gestures and accents, vocabulary growth, the role of sleep, language learning in non-laboratory environments, and the impact of television and electronic devices. Students focus primarily on typical development but also consider insights from children with developmental disorders and learning differences.