Women in Global Politics

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Total of 120 hours

Politics and International Studies at Undergradute level

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/

This subject will examine feminist contributions to the theorising of international politics. It will consider the ways in which feminist theorists have 'gendered' international relations theory. The subject engages with the work of theorists from different feminist positions. It will include feminist interventions in and critiques of international law and of postcolonial theory. Feminist theory on the following topics will be included: nationalism, cultural relativism, multiculturalism, fundamentalism, ecofeminism, third world feminisms, theorising the international sex industry, the usefulness of human rights approaches, women and armed conflict. On completion, students should have developed the ability to criticise international political theory for the ways in which the experience of women is dealt with. The more nuanced view of international politics that the subject aims to develop will be useful to students working in the international arena.

On completion of this subject students should:

• understand the ways in which feminist scholars have criticised and contributed to the theorising of international politics;
• have developed the ability to criticise bodies of theory and areas of knowledge which do not include the ideas and experience of women;
• develop an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context in the study of international politics.

A written essay of 5000 words (100%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
• Be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
• Be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.