Students
FOAR7006 – Research Theme 2: Feminism, Queer Theory and the Problem of Identity
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Leigh Boucher
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines the ways in which various contestations (over postmodernism, poststructuralism and queer theory) challenged the foundational categories of feminist theory in the 1980s and 1990s. The unit will ponder whether the call for a contingent feminist theory and practice undermined or, in fact, invigorated feminist critical thought and practice. Through an engagement with the various critical frameworks that emerged in the wake of these contestations, the unit will then examine the reformulations and reframings that feminist scholars have produced in the decades since these interventions. What do these new critical frameworks seek to explain? Do they represent a return or a critical rupture? Are we living in a post-feminist moment? This unit will be framed as a cross-disciplinary unit, students are encouraged to bring their diverse disciplinary perspectives to the discussion and assessment. |
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:
- ULO1: Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key debates in feminist theory
- ULO2: Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key terms and ideas in queer theory
- ULO3: Critically reflect on the relationship between feminist politics and research in the humanities and social sciences
- ULO4: Exercise independence in the identification of a research problem and formulate a sophisticated approach to investigate it
- ULO5: Practice ethical and inclusive engagement with learning peers
- ULO6: Demonstrate advanced written and verbal communication skills to deploy feminist categories of analysis
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Essay | 25% | No | Fri 5pm, Week 7 |
| Research Essay | 50% | No | Mon 5pm following week 13 |
| Weekly Diary | 25% | No | Weekly (online) |
Critical Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Fri 5pm, Week 7
Weighting: 25%
A short essay that examines key works from early in the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key debates in feminist theory
- Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key terms and ideas in queer theory
- Critically reflect on the relationship between feminist politics and research in the humanities and social sciences
- Demonstrate advanced written and verbal communication skills to deploy feminist categories of analysis
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Mon 5pm following week 13
Weighting: 50%
A research essay related to a key theme of the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key terms and ideas in queer theory
- Critically reflect on the relationship between feminist politics and research in the humanities and social sciences
- Exercise independence in the identification of a research problem and formulate a sophisticated approach to investigate it
- Demonstrate advanced written and verbal communication skills to deploy feminist categories of analysis
Weekly Diary
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weekly (online)
Weighting: 25%
Students will complete a reflective diary after each weekly discussion where they identify key themes from the discussion.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key debates in feminist theory
- Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of some key terms and ideas in queer theory
- Practice ethical and inclusive engagement with learning peers
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
-All readings can be accessed from ilearn
-Full descriptions of assessment can be found on ilearn
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook