Students

GEND220 – Gender and Crime: Spotlight on Masculinities

2016 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Emily Cachia
Contact via email
W6A 831
email to arrange
Tutor
Saartje Tack
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
A growing body of literature from criminology, psychology, evolutionary psychology, media studies, women's studies and men's studies is coming to focus on men in relation to crime. In particular, they are putting the spotlight on gender and its determinations. How are the social constructions of masculinity, within and across cultures, implicated in the conduct and character of crime? Alternatively (in socio-biology), how are the biological constructions of masculinity, within the body (hormones and genes) and across time (evolution), implicated in crime? The unit explores these central questions across a range of topics. Gender is complicated by other dimensions of difference: race and ethnicity, class, sexuality, generation, and more. Males are considered as both perpetrators and victims of crime. Further complication is found in problematising the perpetrator/victim opposition. Special attention is paid to Australian material, but the displacements of modernity and globalisation (the need to find work, escape conflict etc) are also brought into consideration. Focus is on the 'the naughty boy'; 'the juvenile delinquent'; 'the gang banger'; 'the prisoner'; 'the king of his castle'; the stranger of 'stranger danger'; 'the paedophile' and 'the gay basher'; 'the white collar criminal' and 'the people smuggler'; the 'terrorist', the 'war criminal', the 'veteran', and more.

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 features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

General Assessment Information

Detailed Assessment Guidelines explaining the requirements for each assignment are available on the GEND220 iLearn page in the Assessment Resources section. It is necessary to have read these guidelines in order to successfully complete each task.

All essays are to be submitted electronically through Turnitin on the GEN220 iLearn page.

Essay extensions of less than one week should be requested through the student's tutor. Longer extensions should be submitted through the convenor and Disruption to Studies. Approved extensions will not incur a late penalty.

The late submission of essays (without approved extensions) will be accepted but will incur a penalty of 3% on the first day and 1% per weekday thereafter. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Quizzes 30% Weeks 2-12
Two summaries 20% Week 7
Essay 40% Week 13
Participation 10% throughout

Quizzes

Due: Weeks 2-12
Weighting: 30%

  • Starting from week 2, students will be required to complete one online multiple choice quiz each week (10 quizzes in total). 
  • There will be three questions for each quiz based on the required readings and/or the lecture material.
  • Quizzes will be opened on the day of the lecture and remain open for one week.
  • Please see Assessment Guidelines in the Assessment Resources section on iLearn for further details.

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.

Two summaries

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

  • This assessment exercise requires students to write a short precis (a summary in one's own words) of two readingschosen from a provided list (see iLearn Assessment Resources for reading list). 
  • The point of this exercise is for students to learn to reproduce a concise but accurate account of the principal argument of an academic text, rather than exploring their own opinions (this can be done during tutorials and within the research essay)
  • The minimum number of words for each summary is 500 and the maximum without penalty is 750.
  • Please see Assessment Guidelines in the Assessment Resources section on iLearn for further details.

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.

Essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

  • Compose a 2000 word essay on one of the questions listed on iLearn for this task. 
  • Please see Assessment Guidelines in the Assessment Resources section on iLearn for further details.

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.

Participation

Due: throughout
Weighting: 10%

  • Regular attendance and contribution to group discussions within GEND220 tutorials is a requirement of this unit for internal students. 
  • Participation should provide evidence of the student having done the readings, listened to the lecture and thought about the topics in relation to both local and global events and contexts.
  • 2 absences are permitted without penalty. Additional absences without supporting documentation will be penalised.
  • Please see Assessment Guidelines in the Assessment Resources section on iLearn for further details

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery:

Day (on-campus) and Online (iLearn). 

GEND220 comprises of 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial each week. Lectures begin in Week One. Tutorials begin in Week Two.

Lecture: Thursdays 12 - 2pm W5A T2

For up to date times and locations of tutorial classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au

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 reliable broadband internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

This unit will use Echo lecture recording (accessed via iLearn).

Required Readings

Required readings can be accessed through hyperlinks on iLearn or via MQ Library by searching Unit Readings. These can be read online, printed out by the student and/or downloaded.

Unit Schedule

 

Week

Gender and Crime: Spotlight on Masculinities

Week  1

Masculinities and crime: men as heroes, villains and victims 

 (no tutorials this week)

Week  2

 Meet the Villains 

Week  3

 From amour to armour: warrior subjectivities

Week  4

 Men of Substance (use): gendered cultures of drugs & alcohol

Week  5

 From Player to Slayer: family murder-suicide

Week  6

 Prison masculinities: focus on Indigenous men

Week  7

 Study Week (no lecture) 

Week  8

 The colours of discrimination: bikies and 'ethnic' street gangs

Week  9

 The bread winner: 'white collar criminals'

Week  10

 Sex, Love and Hate (crime): a focus on transgender cases

Week  11

 State Crime & Warrior Subjectivities: the 'war criminal'; 'the terrorist'

Week  12

 Film Screening 

Week  13

 No Lecture 

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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Quizzes
  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Quizzes
  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Quizzes
  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Explore the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Quizzes
  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Gender Studies.
  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Quizzes
  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the features, key figures and texts of the study of masculinities within Criminology.
  • Explain the complexity and significance of a number of key issues in the study of masculinities.
  • Articulate a coherent, developed argument on the question of a gendered symbolic order of power.
  • Analyse critically a variety of texts (print, oral, film, multimedia) and data sources concerning masculinities within their historical, social and theoretical contexts.
  • Examine the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living.

Assessment tasks

  • Quizzes
  • Two summaries
  • Essay
  • Participation