Students
GEND820 – Gender as a Concept: Advanced Readings
2015 – S1 External
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Director of Gender Studies program
Judy Lattas
Contact via 98507947
W6A831
arrange through email
Beth Saunders
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertGenStud
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
GEND620
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit begins by focusing on gender as a concept, tracing its historical and intellectual trajectories in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Higher level questions are raised with respect to the status of the sex-gender distinction; the status of femininity and masculinity when gender is considered as a social performance more than as a biological inheritance (through genes, hormones or evolutionary psychology); and the status of 'queer' methodologies in sociological research.
|
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Explain how the writing of scholars like Freud, Foucault and others has been taken up and critically extended in Gender Studies
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Formulate an original argument in the form of a postgraduate-level research essay on the concept of gender
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 30% | Weekly from week 2 |
| Two Summaries | 20% | Week 7 (Friday) |
| Research Essay | 40% | Week 13 (Friday) |
| Participation | 10% | throughout |
Quizzes
Due: Weekly from week 2
Weighting: 30%
The quizzes are accessed on the GEND820 iLearn site. Each contains three multiple choice questions on required weekly readings.
This assessment component is worth 30% (with each question attracting one mark, and three questions per week, therefore 30 in total).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
Two Summaries
Due: Week 7 (Friday)
Weighting: 20%
Students can choose two readings (by Freud, Foucault or Butler) to summarise, from a list of choices on the GEND820 iLearn site.
The minimum number of words for each summary is 500, maximum 750. One reading per summary, two summaries in total.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Explain how the writing of scholars like Freud, Foucault and others has been taken up and critically extended in Gender Studies
Research Essay
Due: Week 13 (Friday)
Weighting: 40%
Write an analytical essay on the concept of gender, designing and development it in consultation with the unit convenor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Formulate an original argument in the form of a postgraduate-level research essay on the concept of gender
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Participation
Due: throughout
Weighting: 10%
Discussion of unit material in the appropriate forums (based on the suggested weekly topics and required readings) on the GEND820 iLearn site.
The benchmark for a clear pass is regular, active participation in forum discussions. In the absence of a sizeable class in this unit, discussion items can be made up of a log of notes documenting the student's reflections on the readings and associated resources, including self-sourced materials, and documenting the student's developing ideas. The quality as well as quantity of discussion is important, especially for the higher grades.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Explain how the writing of scholars like Freud, Foucault and others has been taken up and critically extended in Gender Studies
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Delivery and Resources
Delivery:
Day and Online.
GEND820 comprises of one X 1 hour seminar each week (or on-line for externals, spread throughout the week). With small numbers of students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Gender Studies, the separate GEND units may be rolled into one seminar for internal students.
Technologies used and required
This unit has an online presence in iLearn (http://ilearn.mq.edu.au). Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
This unit may use Echo lecture recording (accessed via iLearn), but not in 2015.
- For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help - For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm
Times and Locations for seminars
For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au
Required and recommended resources
Required readings can be accessed through e-reserve via iLearn. These can be read online, printed out by the student and/or downloaded.
FEEDBACK
Feedback and unit evaluation
The Faculty of Arts values student feedback and seeks to continually improve its teaching. At present, the Faculty collects student feedback in two ways:
1. Anonymous evaluation surveys which are disseminated at the completion of each unit. 2. Student feedback meetings which are held twice a year in the Faculty of Arts. These meetings are advertised on campus and all students are encouraged to attend.
Unit Schedule
2015 SEMINAR PROGRAM AND READINGS
The readings listed will serve to initiate discussion in the seminars, which will be tailored to the particular interests and needs of the student cohort. The required readings will be accessible via iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Assessment tasks
- Quizzes
- Two Summaries
- Research Essay
- Participation
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Explain how the writing of scholars like Freud, Foucault and others has been taken up and critically extended in Gender Studies
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Assessment tasks
- Quizzes
- Two Summaries
- Research Essay
- Participation
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Explain how the writing of scholars like Freud, Foucault and others has been taken up and critically extended in Gender Studies
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Formulate an original argument in the form of a postgraduate-level research essay on the concept of gender
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Assessment tasks
- Quizzes
- Two Summaries
- Research Essay
- Participation
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Formulate an original argument in the form of a postgraduate-level research essay on the concept of gender
Assessment tasks
- Quizzes
- Two Summaries
- Research Essay
- Participation
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Explain how the writing of scholars like Freud, Foucault and others has been taken up and critically extended in Gender Studies
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Formulate an original argument in the form of a postgraduate-level research essay on the concept of gender
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Assessment tasks
- Quizzes
- Two Summaries
- Research Essay
- Participation
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the meanings of gender as a concept in academic fields of study including Gender Studies, Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
- Identify the ways in which gender is conceived and found significant in everyday life and popular culture
- Analyse and assess a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources critically within their historical, social and discursive contexts
- Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.
Assessment tasks
- Quizzes
- Two Summaries
- Research Essay
- Participation
Changes from Previous Offering
2015 is the first year of offering in this unit. Feedback from 2015 students will be crucial in monitoring its initial design and suggesting improvements for future offerings.