Students

SOCI706 – Researching Gender: Theories, Methodologies and Practices

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Kumiko Kawashima
W6A 834
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides a survey of the field of gender studies by tracing its origin in feminist scholarship and familiarising students with key debates and theories, past and present. This unit welcomes both gender studies majors seeking further theoretical training, as well as those from other disciplines and new to the field for whom the content provides an intensive introduction. The emphasis will be on gender as an object of inquiry, as well as an epistemological and methodological practice. The unit is designed to support students in their journey to becoming researchers, and to help them towards finding a lens through which to examine a research topic of their own.

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:

  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.
  • Describe key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives since the 1960s and their trajectories up to the present.
  • Interpret existing research in relation to these key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives.
  • Analyse the interconnection between feminist theory, methodology and epistemology in existing research.

General Assessment Information

Late submission and extension

All assignments which are officially received after the due date, and where no extension has been granted by the convenor before the due date, will incur a deduction of 5% for the first day, and 1% for each subsequent day including the actual day on which the work is received. Weekends and public holidays are included. Please speak to your convenor as soon as possible if you think you will be unable to submit your assignment on time.

 

Applying for Disruption to Studies

If students experience disruptions that adversely affect their academic performance in assessment activities, they need to apply for Disruption to Studies (previously called Special Consideration).

 

Information about what counts as serious and unavoidable disruptions and other details can be found at: http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/exams/disruption_to_studies/

Information about how to apply online for Disruption to Studies can be found at:

http://ask.mq.edu.au/kb.php?record=ce7c4e38-4f82-c4d7-95b1-4e2ee8fd075f

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Seminar Participation 30% No Ongoing
Class presentation 30% No Weeks 9 & 10
Writing project 40% No Week 12

Seminar Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 30%

Class participation is crucial for this unit, as it will help you think aloud with your peers and clarify complex ideas based on readings.

 

Students are required to bring a weekly one-page reading log to class, and participate in discussion regularly and actively.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.
  • Describe key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives since the 1960s and their trajectories up to the present.
  • Interpret existing research in relation to these key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives.
  • Analyse the interconnection between feminist theory, methodology and epistemology in existing research.

Class presentation

Due: Weeks 9 & 10
Weighting: 30%

It is important for students to be able to think about readings they encounter in terms of fields of academic literature, and how their own ideas and concerns relate to them. It is also an important part of academic practice to develop one’s ideas by engaging with feedback from others.

 

In the presentation, students will explain their ongoing writing project by situating it in an existing field of academic literature, and formulating their own research question(s). They are required to consult the convenor before finalising the topic of the presentation.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Interpret existing research in relation to these key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives.
  • Analyse the interconnection between feminist theory, methodology and epistemology in existing research.

Writing project

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%

Students will submit a 3,000-words writing project based on their presentation, and in a form agreed with the convenor. The word limit excludes the reference list, but includes footnotes.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Interpret existing research in relation to these key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives.
  • Analyse the interconnection between feminist theory, methodology and epistemology in existing research.

Delivery and Resources

All resources are available 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

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.

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

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Participation
  • Class presentation

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.
  • Describe key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives since the 1960s and their trajectories up to the present.
  • Interpret existing research in relation to these key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives.
  • Analyse the interconnection between feminist theory, methodology and epistemology in existing research.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Participation
  • Class presentation
  • Writing project

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.
  • Interpret existing research in relation to these key feminist theories, tropes and perspectives.
  • Analyse the interconnection between feminist theory, methodology and epistemology in existing research.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Participation
  • Class presentation
  • Writing project

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Participation
  • Class presentation
  • Writing project

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate skills in literature research, text analysis and academic writing.
  • Present effectively a piece of ongoing research containing theoretical analysis and original research question(s).
  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Participation
  • Class presentation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Engage in informed discussion about theories, methodologies and research practices with their peers.

Assessment task

  • Seminar Participation