Students

GEN 110 – Foundations in Gender Studies

2016 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Gabrielle Meagher
Contact via email
W6A826
to be advised
Senior Tutor
Charlotte Overgaard
Contact via email
Tutor
Kumiko Kawashima
Tutor
Emily Cachia
Tutor
Siobhan Irving
Tutor
Saartje Tack
Tutor
Katharine Hawkins
Tutor
Paul Byron
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit invites students to interact with each other and with teachers and social activists from inside and outside the university on the question of what it means today to be male or female, and what it has meant for past generations. We consult some of the key texts in women's studies, gender and sexuality, like those of Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone de Beauvoir, Jessica Benjamin and Bob Connell. We turn our attention to some important issues including: body image and the internalisation of power; the cultural and psycho-sexual dynamics of domination and violence; ideas of equality at work, at home, and at school; and the changing nature of masculinity and femininity in Australia. A new way of conducting classes using elements of enquiry-based learning has led to the introduction of collaborative, self-designed assessment projects. The unit is interdisciplinary, with input from politics, education, ancient history, Indigenous studies and more, as well as from sociology and gender studies. It can be taken as a one-off elective in any degree, or in pursuit of a major or minor in Gender Studies. Both male and female students are warmly welcome.

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:

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

General Assessment Information

There are 4 assessments in GEN110, consisting of tutorial participation, quizzes, a comprehension task and an essay. Taken together, the tasks are designed to aid your learning and test your understanding of the course material.

Task 3 and 4 must be submitted via Turnitin.

Students should be aware of the following policies in particular in regard to assignments:

Academic Honesty Policy: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Grading Policy: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Online discussion 10% Ongoing
Quizzes 20% Ongoing from week 3
Key concepts comprehension 30% Sunday Week 5
Final essay 40% Sunday Week 13

Online discussion

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Active engagement in discussion is an important part of university learning.  Each week, we will present you with a problem, question or task to discuss online. Your mark will reflect on the quality and quantity of your participation. Posts will need to show evidence of having done the readings, listened to the lecture and having thought about the topics. Note that quality participation in less than 80% of weekly discussions will incur a ‘fail’ unless exceptional circumstances prevail.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Quizzes

Due: Ongoing from week 3
Weighting: 20%

Students will be required to complete a multiple choice quiz each week: 10 quizzes in total, equalling 20 questions.

From Week 3 to Week 12, multiple choice quizzes will open on the GEN110 ILearn.

Students will have one week in which to complete the week’s quizzes: quizzes always open on Wednesdays after lectures and close on the following Tuesdays at midnight. 

There will be two questions each week, and you need to complete a total of 10 sets of quizzes (i.e. 2 questions per week x 10 sets of questions per semester).

Students are advised to start attempting the quizzes well ahead of the deadline. There are no extensions, including for last-minute technical problems or forgetting to submit on time. You will need to provide documentation explaining your absence for the entire duration of a quiz in order to apply for special consideration. Please be advised that the convenor will not respond to any requests to re-open quizzes, to extend their deadlines or to open them early.

It is very important to click on the save button for each answer as you go, and when you are happy with your answers, click on the submit button. Without saving each answer and submitting them at the end, they will not be counted. You will be able to change your mind on a saved answer, and save it again, as many times as you want before submitting it. Your saved answers can be retrieved even if you forget to submit them; if they are not saved, however, they cannot be retrieved and will not count.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Key concepts comprehension

Due: Sunday Week 5
Weighting: 30%

Write a maximum 1,250 word analytical response to the assignment task to be supplied Friday of week 3.

The aim of this assignment is to show your familiarity with key concepts in the course, to demonstrate you can use those concepts, and to demonstrate academic writing skills. You will do that by applying what you have learned in weeks 1-4 to one of a number of popular media articles made available Friday of week 3.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Final essay

Due: Sunday Week 13
Weighting: 40%

Write a 1,500 word analytical essay on ONE of the questions to be supplied Friday of week 11.

This essay will test your comprehension of the ideas and issues discussed during the course. 

You are to use at least 6 references from the course, and to conduct some independent library research to source some additional references of your own choosing.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Delivery and Resources

Lectures will be on Wednesdays, 2pm to 4pm. The lecture room is: W6D Lotus Room.

Lectures will be recorded.

Please note that lectures start in the first week of S1 classes, tutorials start in the second week.

All readings are available on GEN110 e-reserve, or on 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

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 outcome

  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Quizzes
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Quizzes
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to read and write about research texts and social issues in a reflective, critical way
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Key concepts comprehension
  • Final essay

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

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Final essay

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

  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matters today
  • Emerging knowledge about how gender shapes social, economic and political institutions and outcomes
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of gender and power
  • A sense of the complexity and significance of some key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary gender studies
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • An understanding of the relationship between forms of knowledge and forms of everyday living. The material itself, which focuses on a range of contemporary issues to do with gender, will help you to approach real-life situations, analyse them, and remedy problems when necessary. We imagine that what you learn in GEN110 is knowledge that you will be able to, through using the analytical skills developed in the unit, adapt to the real world.

Assessment tasks

  • Online discussion
  • Final essay

Changes from Previous Offering

All existing material is updated each year to reflect relevant developments in society and research

We will continue to seek and respond to student feedback on all aspects of the unit, so that it works in well with student interests, capabilities and needs.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
23/02/2016 -
22/02/2016 I have entered information about submssion via Turnitin.