Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : History
Prev 131-011 Reason and the State
Next 131-018 Searching for the American Dream

 131-116 Sex, Gender and Power: An Introduction

Note

This subject, a new first year component of the interdepartmental program in women's studies, is recommended for students planning to complete a major in women's studies.

Credit Points

12.5

HECS Band

1

Coordinator

Assoc Prof M Stivens

Semester

1 (view timetable)

Contact

A 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week

Subject Description

This subject introduces students to contemporary analyses of gender, looking at the ways in which gender relations shape and are shaped by social, cultural, political and economic conditions. Central themes include: sex, gender, difference and the origins of sexual inequality, with especial interest in the 'gene wars'; the intersections of gender relations with 'race', ethnicity, class and nation; bodies and sexualities, focusing on the racialisation and sexualisation of bodies, HIV/AIDS struggles and the normalisation of heterosexuality; gender, culture and representation, with an especial focus on questions of identity, femininities and masculinities; the intersections of gender relations with social structures and institutions such as work and family; and activist struggles around women and gender, looking at issues of empowerment and agency. Students who complete the subject should have a sound understanding of the main developments in feminist thinking about the relationships between 'culture', gender and identity and the intersections of gender, 'race', ethnicity and class.

Assessment

Class participation and written work totalling 4000 words.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.



Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : History
Prev 131-011 Reason and the State
Next 131-018 Searching for the American Dream
Status:                   Official 2001
Last Modified:            Wednesday May 23 22:24
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au