Sex and Gender Present and Future

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, inlcuding class time.

GEND30002 The Future of Sex and Gender

GEND20003 (pre-2014 only) Genders, Bodies, Borders

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 do sex and gender operate in the world today, and what are their possible futures? 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 explored in this subject include: current theories and experiences of sex and gender in the world today; the increasing instability of the concepts of sex and gender and their transformations; gender fluidity; the persistence of gender inequality; gender as a cultural category versus gender as lived bodily experience; and the uses and abuses of the gender concept. The subject culminates by considering imagined futures of everyday gender practices and of sexualities. These themes will be explored in a global and cross-cultural context.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have acquired a broad understanding of theoretical trajectories related to the study of gender and sex;

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

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

• be aware of processes of knowledge production in the broad areas of sex and gender and appreciate 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 and sexuality in contemporary societies;

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

• A 500 word blog (20%), due throughout the semester.
• A 1000 word reflective paper (30%), due mid-semster.
• A 2500 word research essay (50%), due during the examination period.

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. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

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.

A subject reader will be available.

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.