131-432 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Admission to fourth-year honours or the postgraduate diploma in history or gender studies or the first year of the two-year Master of Arts (Gender and Development), or permission of the subject coordinator.

This subject surveys recent developments in feminist theory and feminist methodology within a cross-cultural context. It explores issues involved in present-day debates about feminist epistemology and knowledge, including debates surrounding the relationship between western and other feminisms, debates between liberal, socialist and radical feminists; and the contributions of postcolonial feminists and queer theorists. It explores key feminist issues such as public and private, family, the body, self, subjectivities, sexualities, citizenships and the interconnections of race and gender, global and local identity politics. The implications of cross-cultural analysis of gender for feminist methodology and method research are explored through consideration of techniques of textual analysis, analysis of visual materials, feminist criticism, interviewing, and archival research.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through class presentation, participation, and completion of a research essay.

• show understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

A research essay 3000 words 55% (due mid semester) and a literature review assignment of 2000 words 45% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the start of semester.