Students

GEN 110 – Foundations in Gender Studies

2017 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Rebecca Sheehan
Contact via email
W6A831
to be advised
Saartje Tack
Contact via email
by appointment
Benjamin Hanckel
Contact via email
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
What it means to be male or female varies with time and place. This variety is patterned, and tied up with the dynamics of power, with the distribution of resources and with cultural representations in a society’s gender order. Gender studies is an interdisciplinary intellectual project that seeks to understand patterned gender differences in social life, and how these differences shape human relationships and human experience at the individual level. This unit is an introduction to this project. We consider how gender has been theorised and researched, and explore how questions of gender are framed and investigated in a range of disciplines across the social sciences and humanities. Topics may include work, sexuality, war, media, literature, abortion, beauty and more. The unit can be taken as a one-off elective in any degree, or in pursuit of a major or minor in Gender Studies.

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 matter 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

Requests for Extensions and Late Penalties

To apply for an extension of more than 5 working days, please complete the disruption to studies notification and submitted online through AskMQ. See the Disruption to Studies Policy above and find further details here: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration/disruption-to-studies

Late assessments without an approved extension will incur a penalty of two marks (out of 100) per working day (ie. week day).

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online discussion 10% No Ongoing
Quizzes 20% No Ongoing from week 2
Key concepts comprehension 30% No Sunday Week 5
Final essay 40% No 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 questions related to the lecture and reading material to discuss online. Tutorial participation each week is required—you cannot post retrospectively. Your mark will reflect the quality and quantity of your participation. It takes into consideration:

  • your familiarity with the material (you have listened to the lectures and done the reading)
  • your active participation in discussions and tasks. This includes posting your responses to questions posed by the tutor and responding to what others in your tutorial have written (no binge posting in the final week of semester).

Note that you are expected to participate in at least 80% of tutorials 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 matter 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 2
Weighting: 20%

Students will be required to complete a multiple choice quiz each week based on content in the lectures and readings: 10 quizzes in total, equalling 20 questions. The quizzes will ask you about material in the lectures and the weekly readings.

From Week 2 to Week 11, 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 Thursdays after lectures and close on the following Wednesdays 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 matter 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.

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.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what interdisciplinary gender studies are, why they have developed and why they matter 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.

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 matter 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 Thursdays, 10am to 12pm. The lecture room is: X5B T1.

Lectures will be recorded.

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

All readings will be made available on GEN110 iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Please note that the dates in the second column below are for the Mondays of that week and not the day of the lecture which is on Thursday.

Week 1

Feb 27

Lecture 1: Introduction: What is Gender Studies?

 

Tutorial

Introductions

Week 2

March 6

Lecture 2: Bodies and Binaries

 

Tutorial

19th century beliefs: on brains and representations of Indigenous womanhood

Week 3

March 13

Lecture 3: Feminisms

**discussion of key concepts essay

 

Tutorial

1970s feminist writings

Week 4

March 20

Lecture 4: Femininities

**feedback on progress so far

 

Tutorial

Filipina and Muslim women

Week 5

March 27

Lecture 5: Men’s and Masculinity Studies

 

Tutorial

Australian Masculinity

**Organise groups for group presentations

Key concepts essay due

Sunday April 2

 

Week 6

April 3

Lecture 6: Masculinities

 

Tutorial

White and Chinese men

Week 7

April 10

Lecture 7: Histories of Sexualities

 

Tutorial

Queer theory

SESSION BREAK

Monday April 17-30

 

Week 8

May 1

Lecture 8: Sexualities

 

Tutorial

Performativity

**Discuss group presentation notes and presentations

Week 9

May 8

Lecture 9: Intersectionality and Third Wave Feminisms

**discussion of final essay

 

Tutorial

Intersectionality and national context

Week 10

May 15

Lecture 10: Intersex and Trans* Spectrums

 

Tutorial

Sexes and Genders

Group presentation notes due

Sunday May 21

 

Week 11

May 22

Lecture 11: Gender and Intimacy

 

Tutorial

Sexual assault and pornography

Week 12

May 31

Lecture 12: Gender and Nation & Conclusions

 

Tutorial

Gender and Australian identity

Week 13

June 5

Lecture 13: No lecture this week. Please use the time to work on your final essay.

 

Tutorial

No readings this week

Final essay due

Sunday June 11

 

EXAMS

June 12

EXAMS commence

 

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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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.

Requests for Extensions and Late Penalties

To apply for an extension of more than 5 working days, please complete the disruption to studies notification and submitted online through AskMQ. See the Disruption to Studies Policy above and find further details here: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration/disruption-to-studies

Late assessments without an approved extension will incur a penalty of two marks (out of 100) per working day (ie. week day).

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 matter 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 matter 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
  • Quizzes
  • 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 matter 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 matter 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

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 matter 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 matter 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 in 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
01/03/2017 Changed location of lecture theatre Added information about expectations of tutorial participation Added Unit Schedule Added information about requests for extensions and late penalties
27/02/2017 Weeks of quizzes changed to Week 2 to Week 11.