131-034 Gender, Culture and Identity

This is a core subject for the interdisciplinary program in gender studies. This subject may also be completed as part of the interdisciplinary programs in cultural studies and Asian studies.

50 points of first year from any area of study within the Faculty of Arts.

This subject looks at the ways in which highly gendered cultural contests have erupted both nationally and globally in recent years, and the analyses offered as explanations for these 'Culture Wars'. The areas covered include key issues in the study of gender, culture and identity within modernity and postmodernity; the war over 'the family', with especial interest in the battle between religious fundamentalists, feminists and other activists concerned with sexualities; the moral panics about forms of parenting, 'deadbeat dads', 'single mothers' and the crisis in masculinity; bodies and the politics of eating and food, with a focus on beauty and 'eating disorders'; the cultural politics of nationalist and ethno-nationalist representations of women and gender, with especial interest in the politics of veiling; and gender and the 'clash of civilisations', in particular the contests around 'human rights' and 'cultural values'. Students should complete the subject with the ability to demonstrate a sound understanding of the main developments in feminist theorising about gender and identity and of the issues involved in debates about feminist knowledges.

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

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate 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 tutorial journal of 750 words 15% (due end semester), a research essay 2000 words 55% (due mid-semester) and a reflective essay 1250 words 30% (due in examination period)