131-551 Representations of Gender

Formerly available as 131-063 and 131-452. Students who have completed 131-063 or 131-452 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

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

This subject examines 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 to any historical or contemporary construction of gender. These categories 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.

• show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

A research essay of 5000 words 100% (due at the end of semester).