Students

GEN 110 – Foundations in Gender Studies

2013 – S3 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Emily Cachia
Contact via emily.cachia@mq.edu.au
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 the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

Name Weighting Due
1. Quizzes 30% Weekly in weeks 1-5
2. Summaries 30% Sunday 29th December 2013
Participation 10% Throughout
3. Individual research project 30% Monday 27th January 2014

1. Quizzes

Due: Weekly in weeks 1-5
Weighting: 30%

A multiple choice quiz will be opened on the GEN110 iLearn unit on the morning of each lecture (twice weekly: Monday & Thursday) and close the evening before. There will be three questions for each topic based on the required readings or the lecture. A total of 30 questions will be set with each attracting one mark. To help your efficiency in completing this task please familiarise yourselves with the quiz questions before embarking on the readings/lectures.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively

2. Summaries

Due: Sunday 29th December 2013
Weighting: 30%

Pick two of the required readings in the Summaries List on iLearn. Summarise them according to the guidelines in 350-500 words each.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively

Participation

Due: Throughout
Weighting: 10%

Regular contributions to the on-line group discussions of GEN110 topics on the GEN110 iLearn unit is a requirement of this unit. Evidence of having done the readings, and having thought about the topics in connection with events and relations between people in the wider world, will be taken into account.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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.

3. Individual research project

Due: Monday 27th January 2014
Weighting: 30%

self-designed, end of semester research project (1200 words) based on a GEN110 topic, incorporating a summary of one of the required readings and directly addressing an issue in the news this year.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • 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.

Delivery and Resources

 

Technologies used:

This unit is conducted entirely online via iLearn; lectures are recorded and available through Echo on iLearn each Monday and Thursday during the Session; required reading material can be accessed and downloaded through e-reserve on the library's website. Students require access to reliable broadband internet and a computer.

 

Changes made to previous offerings of the unit: 

The reading load has been reduced to no more than three per foundational topic (as much as coherency and academic standards allow), and two per focus topic.

The assessment in the unit has been amended to suit external students (group work has been been replaced with written summaries) 

 

Unit Schedule

GEN110 Session 3 External 

Classes commence: Monday 9th December

Classes finish: Friday 24th January

 

  Introduction
Week 1 Feminism/s
  Femininity
Week 2 Sex-gender
  Equality & Difference
Week 3 Gendered Harm
  Reproduction: Rights & Responsibilities
Week 4 Across Cultures: Female genital mutilation
  Cultures of Masculinity: Sexism
Week 5 Cultures of Masculinity: Gender & Education
  Across Cultures: Indigenous family violence
Supplementary Across Cultures: Ancient Athens & Japan

 

 

 

 

 

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://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

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

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

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

UniWISE provides:

  • Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
  • Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
  • The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
  • Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.

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

Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.

IT Help

If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.

Graduate Capabilities

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 the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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 task

  • 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

  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

  • 1. Quizzes
  • 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

  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

  • 1. Quizzes
  • 2. Summaries
  • Participation
  • 3. Individual research project

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 the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

  • 1. Quizzes
  • 2. Summaries
  • Participation
  • 3. Individual research project

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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to summarise texts and engage with their content effectively
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

  • 1. Quizzes
  • 2. Summaries
  • Participation
  • 3. Individual research project

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

  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

  • Participation
  • 3. Individual research project

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 summarise texts and engage with their content effectively
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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

  • 1. Quizzes
  • 2. Summaries
  • Participation
  • 3. Individual research project

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 the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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 task

  • 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

  • An understanding of what the social movement of feminism is about, why it has developed and why it matters today
  • An understanding of what the discipline of women's studies, gender and sexuality 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 a number of key issues and debates (local and global) in contemporary women's studies, gender and sexuality
  • A sense of the complexity and importance of cross-cultural dialogue on gender issues
  • A practical knowledge of how to work with others in small groups on a collaborative project
  • 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 task

  • Participation