WST 110
Gender Issues in the Contemporary Context
Contact details
Dr Judy Lattas , convenor. Winner of the Outstanding Teacher Award 2003 |
Vicki Worthington, Administrator |
Room C3B521 Phone: 9850 7947 |
C3B 519; Phone: 9850 8078 |
e-mail: jlattas@scmp,mq.edu.au |
Schedule info:
First Semester—I (day & evening) Second Semester X—3 credit pointsInternet address:
http://learn.mq.edu.auGender Issues in the Contemporary Context is a foundational unit that offers an introductory look at Women’s Studies and Gender Studies at Macquarie University. Lecturers from departments throughout Macquarie contribute to this interdisciplinary unit: from Asian Languages, Education, Ancient History, Law, Philosophy and Politics, as well as from interdisciplinary women’s studies, gender and sexuality itself. Lecturers focus on a particular aspect of the study of gender in their own discipline. Topics covered include differences between first, second and third wave feminists; the politics of “raunch”, the body and appearance; the legal regulation and media handling of abortion issues ; psychological and philosophical meanings of oppression; the politics of housework; contemporary forms of masculinity; culture-gender analyses of sexual harassment, family violence, misogyny and rape; female genital mutilation; gender relations in ancient Athens and modern Japan, and more.
Enrolment
Students do not have to be feminists, nor are feminists particularly privileged as students, but feminist material will be presented and must be engaged with. Men are very welcome. The unit is offered through the Division of SCMP. Staff from the Institute, from Sociology, or from the Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy can sign you into this unit.
Class requirements
This unit requires weekly attendance at two one-hour lectures and one one-hour tutorial. Please see the following webpage for lecture and tutorial times: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Assessment
It is not difficult to pass this unit but there is some challenging material for those students who want to try for a higher grade. Students will be expected to present a tutorial paper of around 1,000 words (20%), a research essay of around 2,000 words (40%), and three summaries (30%). The summaries will take the form of a choice of three readings out of six or more in the current WST110 Booklet of Readings. Class participation is worth 10% of the final grade.
Flexibility
This unit has its own website which is used for internal as well as external students. It is available externally in second semester. Lectures for the unit are sent out to distance students on CD and are also available 'on-line’ in a digital format to all students. Tutorials for externals are managed through an on-line discussion group, which is available flexibly (log in and participate when you can). The convenor will be available on a regular basis to answer questions about the unit material and to facilitate discussion. There will be plentiful help available for students new to the internet.Texts
A book of required readings for WST110 will be available through the Co-op Bookshop at Macquarie University.