166-217 Gender and Politics in Southeast Asia

Usually a first-year politics, Asian studies or gender studies subject.

This subject examines the multiple ways of theorising gender and its relation to other axes of social differentiation such as class, religion, nationality, sexuality, rank, place and ethnicity in Southeast Asia. The subject introduces students to historically specific and ethnographic ways in which theorising about sexual politics can interrogate political institutions (eg. the military, educational systems, health care, public services and development projects) and practices (eg. democracy, authoritarianism and grass roots activism). The subject will explore articulations of women's voices, while at the same time critically examine the construction of masculinity, femininity, and other forms of sexuality in Southeast Asian societies. On completion of the subject students should have a better understanding of nuanced, non-universalising ideas about power, patriarchy, the family, critiques of development, and women's activism in the following countries of Southeast Asia: East Timor, the Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

An in-class test of 1000 words 40% (to be held mid-semester) and a research essay of 3000 words 60% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.