Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Ashley Lavelle
Contact via (02) 9850 9660
Australian Hearing Hub
By appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level including 3cp from POL units at 100 level
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Critically analyses core institutions of the State as gendered entities to discern the implications of gender for democracy and thus answer the fundamental question, 'Is politics gendered?'. Drawing on contemporary theories of neo-institutionalism that identify the sociological aspects of institutions and how they interact with and affect society, the unit will critically examine foundational concepts and theories of political science, including precepts of liberal political theory and various theories of the State, to interrogate the gendered assumptions and outcomes of these. Secondary institutions and their 'logic of appropriateness' that are fundamental to Western democracies will then be examined through a gendered lens. These include the bureaucracy, the parliament, the judiciary, the electoral system, federalism and the Australian constitution. Finally, crucial policies of Australian governments will be examined in a global context with a view to determining their gendered nature and outcomes, such as war, foreign aid and responses to terrorism. Students will develop their theoretical knowledge of core concepts of political science, while sharpening their critical thinking and analytical skills especially in regard to scrutinising the presence of gender in so-called 'neutral' institutions, and heightening their understandings of Australia's role in global politics.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Major Essay | 45% | No | Week 7 |
Reading Critique | 25% | No | Week 3 |
Minor Essay | 30% | No | Week 10 |
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 45%
his essay, approximately 2000 words in length, provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of interest in depth. Students should develop a considered answer to a specific question based on reading a range of sources wider than simply the key readings. (Students must read and refer to a minimum of 12 substantive sources.) A high standard essay would draw upon a wide range of resources to support a well-organized argument in response to the set question (essay questions will be provided in the Week 1 lecture). Remember, there is no necessarily ‘correct’ answer to each question: rather, there are arguments that are more persuasively made and intelligently constructed. Consider whether the arguments you read are logical and based on convincing evidence. The same criteria should apply to your own work.
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 25%
Students should choose one reading (book, chapter from an edited book collection, or journal article) from the list of Further Readings provided after each week’s lecture topic, or choose a suitable alternative reading. The aim is to critique and discuss the reading and the subject matter it raises. No references are required other than for the reading that is chosen. The critique should be approximately 1000 words long.
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%
This essay, approximately 1500 words in length, deals with one of the ‘important questions’ listed in the Week 1 lecture notes for the course. You should refer to a minimum of 6 sources in answering your chosen question. In writing your essay, you should follow largely the same format as that for the major essay, including for referencing.
This unit is delivered online.
Week 1) Introduction to Gender and the State
Week 2) Gender Oppression, the Family, and the State in Historical Context
Week 3) Here Comes the Bride: Gender Oppression, Marriage, and the State
Week 4) The Family's Impacts on Women: Still a Historic Defeat?
Week 5) A Room with No View: Women, Housewifery, and the State
Week 6) Don't Tell Me What to Do! Women, Children, the Family and the State
Week 7) No Lecture: Reading and Assignment Preparation Week
Week 8) A Tale of Two Halves? Women, Monogamy, and the State
Week 9) Subversion or Sleaze? Pornography, the Family, Monogamy, and Relationships
Week 10) ‘Blood is Stronger than Bigotry’? Gender, the Family, and Homosexual Oppression
Week 11) Rainbow Wedding: Gender, Same-Sex Marriage, and the State
Week 12) Conclusion: Beyond the Family, Gender Oppression, and the State
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
The present convenor has completely rewritten this course from scratch, with new topics, lectures, and readings. Please don't hesitate to pass on any feedback.