Understanding Gender Inequality is a free online politics class offered by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. This introductory course is open to anyone with an interest in the topic and has no education prerequisites or work experience requirements; however, students will need a basic understanding of gender inequality and be familiar with its signs through media. Specifically, this class is intended for anyone 16 years of age or older who is preparing to attend an institution of higher education or enter the work force.
Taught through a series of video lectures, Understanding Gender Inequality lasts for four weeks. Each week, students will complete one video module, watching the lectures and then completing supplemental assignments. Students who successfully complete all assignments will receive a passing grade in the course. Those who require a verified certificate of completion can receive one by paying a $54 fee.
At the start of the course, Understanding Gender Inequality introduces the topic of gender, discussing the effect of tradition; social expectations, language, culture; masculinities and femininities and everyday practices and structures. Then the course moves on to explore what gender inequality in the workplace is, reviewing signs of the problem like sexual harassment, pay gaps, gendered job roles and political representation. Next, the course explores gender inequality in family and social contexts, allowing students to consider the imbalance of domestic and caring roles, the portrayal of women in the media and violence towards women. The course concludes with a study on movements that are seeking to address gender inequality, such as the #MeToo campaign.
