Genders, Bodies, Borders

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours

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/

Contemporary cultural and political conflicts are increasingly articulated with the body, bodies, gender and sexuality at the heart of their concerns. This subject brings insights from contemporary theory and social research to our understanding of how and why this occurs. The subject begins by examining theories of the gendered body. It then moves to a consderation of the links between gender, sex, sexuality, cultural difference, class, popular culture and global politics.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Have acquired a broad understanding of theoretical trajectories related to the study of gender, culture and bodies;

• possess an appreciation of the key concepts in gender studies and contemporary feminist theories of gender and the body;

• demonstrate a developing capacity to think critically and evaluate arguments concerning gender, sexuality, culture and the body;

• be aware of processes of knowledge production and the historical, political and cultural conditions to which this is linked;

• be intellectually engaged in the discipline of gender studies;

• be familiar with national and international debates on specific contemporary issues and complex problems connected with sex, gender, bodies and culture in contemporary societies;

• have interacted with peers in small, productive and collaborative learning environments.

A research essay of 2000 words (55%) due mid-semester, a tutorial journal of 750 words (15%) due end semester, and a reflective essay of 1250 words (30%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: 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 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 reader will be available at the university bookshop.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.