WMST8004 Introduction to Women's Studies: Sex, Gender & Identities

Dr Simone Bignall

2017

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly

1 of WMST1001, WMST2012, WMST8002 has been successfully completed

This topic assumes that students have no familiarity with Women's Studies. As a postgraduate-level introductory topic in Women's Studies, it assumes only 'generic' graduate qualities, skills and knowledge.

Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development

This topic introduces postgraduate students to Women's Studies, and to questions of gender and power in everyday life. It emphasises three key aspects of women's studies: representations of gender (that is, how we 'see' gender); the inter-relationship of gender with other categories of identity (such as ethnicity, 'race' and sexuality); and the significance of gender in social problems and social problem-solving. Students will encounter and explore key terms and debates in gender studies, and build a platform for extending their knowledge about gender and feminism.

The aim of this topic is to introduce some basic concepts of Women's Studies through issues and debates about sex and gender in Australian society. This involves providing a framework within which to consider: how ideas about sex and gender are created and circulated in society; and the diversity of women's experiences in contemporary Australian society formed through race, ethnicity, class and sexuality.

After successfully completing this topic students should be able to:

Explain the concepts of gender, sex and identity and use them appropriately within and across disciplinary boundaries
Identify and analyse the ways understandings of gender affect power relations
Identify and analyse the ways race, ethnicity, class and sexuality affect gender identity and experience
Criticise and rebut popular misconceptions about sex/gender
Critically analyse a variety of representations, which may include advertisements, film, life stories and academic scholarship
improve their research and communication skills (written and oral) in collaborative, independent, and ethical ways

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2017 are no longer published.

This information is from current details held on the Student Information System. Please report any errors or omissions to the relevant College Office.