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University of Florida

Comparative Perspectives on Gender Inequality


UF Faculty: Ravi Ghadge
Department: Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law
College: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Partner Faculty: Suhaile Azavedo
Department: Department of English
Partner Institution: St. Mira’s College for Girls

Partner Faculty: Veena Kenchi
Department: Department of Politics
Partner Institution: St. Mira’s College for Girls
Title: Comparative Perspectives on Gender Inequality in India and the US
Project Description: This is a four-week asynchronous Global Learning Experience (GLE) between undergraduate students at St. Mira’s College for Girls, Pune (India) and the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL (US). The GLE is focused on cross-cultural understanding of gender inequality as a global social problem across these two cultures. The GLE is divided into two sections: Virtual Exchange and Individual Reflection. Through this international student engagement, students will experience the complexity of multiple perspectives, questioning of their own assumptions, and intercultural awareness as part of building toward being a civic and globally engaged learner. Students will do this through activities designed to explore the cross-cultural dimensions of social problems.
Learning Outcomes:
  • Explore new cultures and global perspectives and examine the similarities and differences across cultures, especially in understanding social problems.
  • Reflect on the global learning and digital literacy gained within this module.
  • Develop an empathetic imagination to make sense of reality in a more comprehensive manner.
  • Communicate with international peers across disciplines to contribute to course assignments.
  • Collaborate on research and develop collaborative solutions and recommendations for policymakers in both countries.
Participating Countries: India
Number of Participants: 71 UF Students; 43 St. Mira's Students
Discipline: Sociology
UF Course Code & Name: IDS2935 - How to Address Global Social Problems?
Project Duration: 4 weeks
Activity Type(s):
  • Student-to-Student Dialogue
  • Student-to-Student Project
Technology Tools:
  • Padlet
  • Flip
  • Whatsapp
Sequence of Activities:
  • Icebreaker Activity: Students will be asked to post a written description or video offering a brief introduction to the class via Canvas or Padlet. Students will be asked to discuss their discipline or major (or any minors), career interests, and at least two things about themselves (typically, students speak to family, pets, hobbies, etc.) that are interesting.
  • Engagement Activity: Students will participate in discussion posts that would involve posting an initial post as well as response to their peers' posts. For the first three weeks of the module, students will focus on specific discussion prompts that will be aimed to do the following:
    • Week 1:
      • Describe and explain cultural and social perspectives.
      • Compare and contrast significant worldviews and experiences
    • Week 2:
      • Identify how gender intersects with other dimensions, such as race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, nation, ability, etc., to shape complex inequalities.
    • Week 3:
      • Identify and explain how caste discrimination and environmental crises produce specific vulnerabilities that shape gender inequality in India

  • Collaboration Activity: The Creative Project aims to develop a collaborative project with international peers showcasing students’ knowledge on any of the topics covered in class. Students will be assigned to groups based on their interests and will comprise students from both universities (Florida and Pune).

    Closing ceremonies will take place at the end of Week 4, where students from both universities exchange what they have learned about the other and its impact on their learning and understanding of global gender inequality.
  • Reflection Activity: Students will submit a final culminating reflection paper on the virtual exchange. Within this reflection, students will address areas such as how their international peers impacted their learning experience, what key changes in perceptions of the world occurred, and how their cultural background affects their understanding of this experience, among other areas of reflection and input.