Genders and Desires in Asia

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

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

How are genders and desires imagined, performed, reproduced and contested in the diversity of societies and cultures of the Asian region? How does mobility and sociocultural change influence, or impact on everyday notions of gender within Asia, and in discourses about Asia? What is the influence of histories, religions, languages and media on gender and sexualities in the Asian region and Asian diasporas? This subject critically engages with gender and desire in relation to the Asian region by drawing on contemporary gender theories and a diversity of perspectives from the humanities and social sciences. Topics will cover the Asian region and diasporas, with a focus on languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese.

On successful completion of this subject, students should

• Have an ability to evaluate literature concerning gender in Asia;
• Have a capacity to articulate their findings and views in oral and written presentations;
• Have an understanding of major issues and sensitivities regarding gender in Asia;
• Have a capacity to engage where appropriate with issues to do with genders and desires in Asia;
• Have a capacity to engage where appropriate with issues to do with desires about Asia.

• A tutorial presentation, equivalent to 1250 words, done throughout the semester (35%)
• A tutorial journal, 750 words. Due at the end of the semester (15%)
• Major essay, 2000 word. Due during the examination period (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: 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.

Provided in a Reader and available through the library

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

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.

On completion of the subject, students should:

• Have an understanding of the key concepts of interest to the subject.
• Be conversant with a range of theoretical approaches to understanding these concepts.
• Analyse the function of these concepts in different cultural settings and compare those with one’s own.
• Employ a variety of research tools and methodologies to gather evidences and formulate convincing arguments.
• Have interacted with peers in small, productive and collaborative learning environments.
• Enhancing the ability to critically think and engage with the work of established scholars in relation to these concepts.