The Politics of Gender in China

Subject 110-228 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 8.5 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Completion of 1st-year requirements for the Asian Studies, Chinese Studies or Gender Studies major. For pre-2008 students: Usually 50 points of 1st year study in the Faculty of Arts.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Anne Mclaren

Contact

A/Professor A McLaren

Subject Overview: This subject focuses on the influence of traditions and ideologies on gender issues in China and the East Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore). Students will be encouraged to explore how 'tradition’ continues to shape notions of the body, sexuality and gender hierarchies in the contemporary era. The impact of globalization on marriage, careers, and lifestyle choices will also be explored. Students will be encouraged to apply critical notions drawn from Western gender theory to Asian contexts.
Objectives:
  • have an appreciation of the major gender-related issues facing men and women in East Asian contexts in the contemporary era;
  • have an enhanced understanding of the legacy of Confucian and other traditional ideologies in shaping divergent modernities in East Asia;
  • be able to apply notions of 'agency' drawn from gender theory to the East Asian context.
Assessment: One class paper presented in class and submitted as a 1500 word assignment one week after presentation 30%, one research essay of 2500 words 60% (due during the examination period). Participation 10% based on contribution to class discussion in tutorials. No marks are given for attendance solely but students are required to attend at least six tutorials as a hurdle requirement.
Prescribed Texts: Class Reader available in the Bookshop.
Recommended Texts: Louise Edwards & Mina Roces, Women in Asia. Allen & Unwin, 2001. Anne E McLaren, ed. Chinese Women:Living & Working. London & New York: Routledge, 2004
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to apply critical notions drawn from the West in non-Western cross-cultural contexts;
  • have enhanced abilities in oral and written communication and developed skills in working with a team to complete a group project;
  • be able to research through frequent and systematic use of the library and other information sources, the definition of areas of inquiry and familiarisation with research methods;
  • acquire critical thinking and analysis skills through required and recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by assessing the strength of arguments;
  • think in theoretical and analytical terms through lectures, tutorial discussions, essay writing and engagement in methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;
  • communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;
  • acquire written communication skills through essay and assignment preparation and writing;
  • understand social, political, historical, and cultural contexts and awareness/openness to the world: through the contextualisation of judgements and knowledge, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and new aspects of Chinese culture, and by formulating arguments;
Notes: Was previously available as 110-417. Students who have completed 110-417 are ineligible to enrol in this subject
Related Course(s): Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Asian Studies
Asian Studies
Asian Studies
Asian Studies Major
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies Major

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