131-063 Representations of Gender

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Subject Description

This subject examines the representations of gender in both theoretical and historical contexts. The first half of the subject looks at the categories of race, sexuality, and the body, and how these are central in any historical and contemporary construction of gender. These are considered in the context of feminist debates around representation, subjectivity, western images of the 'Other', language, desire and identity. The second half of the subject considers how these categories operate within a range of cultural expressions. In particular, we consider how they may be useful in analysing the construction of gender in film, literature, and autobiography. Through various theoretical paradigms and frameworks students should develop an understanding of how gender representations are constructed, and how and why these change over time.

Assessment

A research essay of 5000 words.