The Future of Sex and Gender

Subject GEND30002 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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

Standard

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment: An average of 8.5 hours per week
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Two previous Arts faculty subjects (25 points), including one of the following subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have completed The Future of Sex and Gender the codes 121-217 or 673-384 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Maree Pardy

Contact

Dr Maree Pardy

mpardy@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

How is the future of sex and gender imagined in the world today? Indeed do these concepts have a future? Can they adequately capture the breadth, range and fluidity of contemporary and global 'sexed and gendered" lives? Key themes will include: the increasing instability of the concepts of sex and gender and their transformations. gender fluidity in the face of persisting gender inequality. gender v lived bodies. imagined futures of everyday gender practices. the future of sexualities. and the transcendence of the body, including cyberspace, cybersex the techno world of games and second life. These themes will be explored in a global and cross-cultural context.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • have a sound understanding of the main developments in feminist thinking about the past and future of gender inequalities, developments around the concepts of sex and gender(s), and the intersections of gender, "race", ethnicity and class.
  • have an awareness of the main developments in feminist thinking about the persistence of gender inequality and the place of gender within emerging social transformations globally
  • have an understanding of feminist thinking about the emergence of radically new forms of gender, embodiment and being human, with emphasis on the interfaces between the biological and the social.
  • have a sound understanding of the main frameworks for analysing the status, usefulness and future of the concepts of "sex" and "gender" in a globalising world, with a particular focus on cross-cultural comparisons of such framework
Assessment: A 1500 word essay (40%) due mid semester, and a 2500 word research essay (60%) due during the examination period. This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A reader will be available for purchase from the university bookshop.

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:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources.
  • show critical thinking and analysis and ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
  • demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
Links to further information: http://www.pasi.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes: This is a core subject for the minor in the interdisciplinary program in gender studies. This subject may also be completed as part of the interdisciplinary program in Asian studies, and as part of the social theory minor and sequence and the Major in Anthropology and Social theory.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology and Social Theory
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Gender Studies

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