IDSA01H3Y

Introduction to International Development Studies

International Development Studies
Fall 2022

Reflection Paper on the Albert Berry Lecture by Dr. Kalpana Wilson ‘Revisiting Gender
and Development in a Time of Fascisms’

Overview of the Assignment

This assignment requires you to write a short essay reflecting on the key messages from the
Albert Berry Lecture by Dr. Kalpana Wilson on Gender and Development. The assignment is
worth 20% of your final grade.

Due Date
October 16, 2022, before midnight. You must upload a soft copy onto Quercus in Word or pdf
format (ensure the file name includes your name, and the cover page includes your TA’s name
and tutorial session). Please contact your TA in advance if you need extra time to complete the
assignment. We will begin to apply a penalty of 5% per day if you are more than two days late.

About the Speaker

Dr. Kalpana Wilson is a Lecturer in the Geography Department at Birkbeck, University of
London. Her research explores questions of race/gender, labour, imperialism, fascism and
reproductive rights and justice, with a particular focus on South Asia and its diasporas. She is the
author of Race, Racism and Development: Interrogating History, Discourse and Practice (Zed
Books, 2012) and co-editor of Gender, Agency and Coercion (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). She
has written widely on themes of international development, revolutionary social movements and
reproductive justice. She is a founder member of the campaigning organization South Asia
Solidarity Group.

Instructions
After viewing the lecture, students are expected to put together a 4-5-page, double-spaced, 12-
point font, typed essay in APA/MLA format in which they present a clear thesis about what they
have identified as a key theme of the lecture. Students should also choose a title that will reflect
the essay’s main ideas.

Students are to include carefully cited references within the body of the analysis and a works
cited page at the end. In addition, please use 1-2 relevant sources from the course, which
may include but are not limited to the following articles:

Wilson, K. (2015). Towards a Radical Re-appropriation: Gender, Development and

Neoliberal Feminism. Development and Change 4, 46(4), 803–832.

Kabeer, N. (2015). Gender, poverty, and inequality: a brief history of feminist contributions
in the field of international development, Gender & Development, 23:2, 189-205.

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Purpose of the Assignment

1. To give you the opportunity to:

2. Learn about development, particularly gender challenges, from the perspective of a
highly experienced doctor who has been working on local and global health issues for
decades.
3. Reflect critically on the connections between the idea of “development” we discussed
in class and gender equity, as presented in Kalpana Wilson’s lecture. Feel free to
draw from your personal experience and academic interest to reflect on the
connections.
4. Come up with your ideas about what “development” entails, particularly concerning
gender issues.

Expectations:

1. Attend the Albert Berry Lecture (you can also access the recorded lecture online from
September 29, 2022).

2. Write a short reflection paper based on the lecture. The paper should be 4-5 pages long
(12-point font, double-spaced, between 1,000-1,250 words). See the resources below for
how to compose a reflection paper. Also, attend your tutorial, where the lecture and
assignment expectations will be discussed in more detail.

3. Begin the paper by summarizing Dr. Wilson’s lecture’s key points or messages. What
lesson(s) and/or insights did you draw from her talk?

4. Reflect on the link between gender, equity, and development, and discuss whether and
how Dr. Wilson’s ideas shaped or challenged your thinking or assumptions. For example:
Why is “knowledge production” key to understanding gender and development? What is
the relationship between gender and inequality? Did the lecture enhance and expand your
understanding of what development means and entails? Did it challenge your
preconceived understanding of development?

5. End your paper with a concluding statement on a key lesson you learned from this
writing exercise and viewing the lecture. Did it help you challenge a particular
“conventional wisdom”?

6. In addition to drawing directly from the lecture, we expect you to draw on the course
material, particularly from WEEK FOUR; however, you are not limited to the readings
from week four.

7. Make use of the resources that are provided below.

8. Include your name, student number, and the name of your TA at the top of each page.

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Evaluation Rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

Knowledge

Demonstrates knowledge of a 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to >0 pts

key subject/topic from the >4.0 pts >3.0 pts >2.0 pts Unsatisfactory 5 pts
podcast and connects it to the Excellent Good Adequate
meaning of development or
health equity

Critical Thinking

Demonstrates a clear and 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to >0 pts

reflective point of view that is >4.0 pts >3.0 pts >2.0 pts Unsatisfactory 5 pts
supported by appropriate Excellent Good Adequate
information

Application
5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to >0 pts
Makes connections within >4.0 pts >3.0 pts >2.0 pts Unsatisfactory 5 pts
and between various topics Excellent Good Adequate
and personal contexts

Communications

Logical organization of 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to >0 pts

information; proper written >4.0 pts >3.0 pts >2.0 pts Unsatisfactory 5 pts
form, spelling and grammar, Excellent Good Adequate
proper citation style

Total Points: 20