GSSA 1003 - Gender, Work and Society

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

Gender, Work and Society is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of work and the ways in which the practices of work - paid and unpaid - is gendered. Men and women do different jobs in the workplace and in the home, they work different hours in many places, their training, education, skills and rewards are often different. While there are many differences among men, and among women, gender-based, systematic differences also exist. The course considers their origins and explanations. It examines links between broad societal changes and women's and men's changing roles, especially relating to the economy, education, technology, consumerism, individualism, globalisation, welfare and the changing patterns of family life. Furthermore the course considers recent developments in employment regarding increasing flexibility, privatisation, contracting out and home work. During the semester the course will cover current issues in the Australian workforce that are receiving media attention such as recent debates about the Industrial Relations system, the 'work-life collision', the issue of paid parental leave and the 'gender pay gap'.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GSSA 1003
    Course Gender, Work and Society
    Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Incompatible GWSI 1003, GWSI 1003EX
    Course Description Gender, Work and Society is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of work and the ways in which the practices of work - paid and unpaid - is gendered. Men and women do different jobs in the workplace and in the home, they work different hours in many places, their training, education, skills and rewards are often different. While there are many differences among men, and among women, gender-based, systematic differences also exist. The course considers their origins and explanations. It examines links between broad societal changes and women's and men's changing roles, especially relating to the economy, education, technology, consumerism, individualism, globalisation, welfare and the changing patterns of family life. Furthermore the course considers recent developments in employment regarding increasing flexibility, privatisation, contracting out and home work. During the semester the course will cover current issues in the Australian workforce that are receiving media attention such as recent debates about the Industrial Relations system, the 'work-life collision', the issue of paid parental leave and the 'gender pay gap'.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Pam Papadelos

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Identify contemporary national and global issues relating to gender and work.
    2 Explain how Australia’s institutions and practices relating to gender and work have changed over time, and the impact this has had on individuals and society.
    3 Demonstrate an understanding of the changing global context of gender and work and the impact this has had on individuals and society.
    4 Demonstrate an understanding of the role gender and other dimensions of identity play in power, politics and interpersonal relations at work.
    5 Critically evaluate policy approaches to gender and work with attention to issues of social justice and equity
    6 Demonstrate skills in literature searching, critical reading and referencing
    7 Use appropriate language, terminology and concepts in order to discuss the influence of social structures and identities on working life
    8 Construct a clear, coherent and independent argument which responds to a particular question and is supported by appropriate scholarly evidence, within identified timeframes.
    9 Demonstrate interpersonal, leadership and teamwork skills in group activities
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-4, 7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-5, 6, 8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    9
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5-9
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Gender Work and Society Reader
    The reader contains the set readings for each week’s topic. It is available for sale from the Image and Copy Centre, Level 1, Hughes Building. Students are expected to purchase this Reader and use it to prepare for each week’s classes.

    It is students’ responsibility to obtain readings and read them. It is not possible to pass this course without doing the set readings.

    Digital copies of the readings will be made available on MyUni as early in semester as possible. Two copies of the reader are also held on reserve in the Barr Smith Library, where they may be scanned free of charge or photocopied.
    Recommended Resources
    Further Reading
    In addition to the further reading listed in your course guide, a list of useful books and journals will be placed on MyUni.

    Media
    You can find recent national and international newspaper articles on-line via Press Display (last 60 days) and Factiva. Australian television news can be found on the TVnews databse. To find these databases visit the library website.

    Websites
    An extensive list of relevant web resources is available on the course MyUni site under ‘links’. This includes government resources, social policy research, and community resources on topics such as sex discrimination, parental leave, equal opportunity, and work and family.

    Library Pages
    There is a library page especially for this course, designed to help you find resources for your assignments. To find it go to ‘2013 courses’ on the following page: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/gender_work_socialinquiry

    All students are expected to visit and use the library regularly and should complete a library tour early in semester if they have not previously done so.

    Harvard Referencing
    Harvard referencing style is required for all Gender, Work and Social Inquiry courses. Before handing in your assignments check the library page for Harvard referencing at
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/gen/harvard.html
    and the Academic Learning and Language page at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/all/referencing_guides/harvardStyleGuide.pdf

    Study skills
    The Writing Centre provides free online resources and workshops to help you learn the many skills you need for university learning. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/

    The library also has online tutorials on interpreting your reading list, finding books, and interpreting your essay question: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/help/tutorials/

    Plagiarism/originality checking
    Students are required to submit assignments through the Turnitin feature on MyUni, where they will be checked for plagiarism. Assignments can be uploaded before the due date so that if necessary you can fix any problems and upload again. Only your final submission will be checked by teaching staff.  For information on plagiarism see http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/plagiarism/
    Online Learning
    The course has a MyUni page which will provide announcements, course information, discussion, essay topics, web resources and advice for your assignments. You can set MyUni to email you announcements when they are posted. All announcements posted on MyUni will be considered to have been communicated to students, so it is your responsibility to make sure you don’t miss this important information. To find the course MyUni page visit https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The lecture will provide an overview of your reading and further background material and references to help you understand and synthesise the topic.

    In the tutorial you will develop your own abilities by practising reading, interpretation and discussion, working with other students on finding answers and exploring solutions to problems, and asking for assistance on anything that is not clear.

    In assignments you will practice and demonstrate your knowledge, skills and understanding. The majority of assignments will be in written essay format.

    Feedback on your assignments will help you identify areas that need further work.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1x2hr lecture per week or equivalent 24 hours per semester
    1x1hr tutorial per week or equivalent 12 hours per semester
    6 hrs /wk on set tutorial readings 72 hours per semester
    2 hrs/wk research 24 hours per semester
    2 hrs/wk assigment preparation 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL = 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction to course, terms and concepts
    Week 2 How did it all start? Gender, work and industrialisation in ‘the West’
    Week 3 Who built Australia? Colonialism and Indigenous Workers
    Week 4 The gender pay gap and other inequalities: Workforce segregation, pay and skill
    Week 5 Whose choices? Industrial relations, policy changes,,flexibility and casualisation
    Week 6 Doing it tough: Un(der)employment and welfare
    Week 7 Who cares? Welfare, childcare, & social reproduction
    Week 8 Work/family collision! Domestic labour and housework
    Week 9 Femininities and Masculinities at work: Emotional and aesthetic labour
    Week 10 Globalised labour: Migration, outsourcing and trafficking
    Week 11 Policy remedies? Equity, diversity and anti-discrimination
    Week 12 Concluding Remarks
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
      Assigment Task                                     Task Type                     Learning Objectives
    Short Assignment Formative/Summative 1,7,8
    Interactive Tutorial Exercise  Formative/Summative 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9
    Online Quiz Formative/Summative 1,3,4,6
    Tutorial Participation Formative/Summative 1,2,3,4,5,7
    Major Essay

    Summative 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at both lectures and tutorials is compulsory. Students may miss up to two tutorials during semester without penalty, but any further absences will result in being asked to complete extra work to avoid failing the participation grade.

    It is the responsibility of students to contact the lecturer or tutor prior to the lecture/tutorial if they are unable to attend. If this is not possible because of some unforseen event then contact the lecturer as soon as possible afterwards to explain your absence. If you have been ill please bring a medical certificate. Attendance records will be kept at tutorials. If you arrive late at tutorials it is your responsibility to make sure the tutor has recorded your attendance.
    Assessment Detail
    Short Assignment
    A combination of short answer questions and a writing exercise.
    This exercise is designed to clarify important course concepts and identify any areas where you need to develop your academic skills. You are expected to reference your work using the Harvard system.

    Interactive Tutorial Exercise
    You will work with a partner to help the class understand and discuss the week’s topic. Your presentation must take a specific format, as announced during semester.

    Online Quiz
    You will complete a multiple choice quiz on MyUni, addressing topics covered so far in the course, as well as skills in essay writing, referencing, and avoiding plagiarism.

    Tutorial Participation
    Each week you need to come to tutorial class well-prepared. This means having come to the lecture and read the readings set down for that week. You need also to have thought about the questions for that week and to have developed your own opinion. Bring along any questions or problems you are having with lecture material and with the readings. You need to participate in the discussion in a constructive manner. Attendance is compulsory.

    Major Final Essay
    Students will be required to write a research essay in response to a set question. A choice of essay topics will be circulated during semester.
    Submission

    Format: All assignments must:

    • Be 1.5 line spaced
    • Be referenced in Harvard style
    • State the assignment topic at the top of the first page

    Submission

    • Assignments must be submitted online through MyUni and will be marked electronically.
    • Turnitin will be used for plagiarism checking.
    • Extensions must be sought before the due date by contacting your tutor.
    • Late assignments without an extension will be penalised 2% per day.

    If for some reason you are unable to submit your assignment electronically, it may be submitted in hard copy via the assignment box in the School of Social Sciences, Room G18, Napier Building, OR you may post it with a postmark on or before the due date, to: Your tutor’s name DX 650 213 Gender Studies and Social Analysis University of Adelaide SA 5005

    Statement of Acknowledgement of Original Work
    By submitting your assignment you are agreeing to the following:

    I declare that all material in this assessment is my own work except where there is clear acknowledgement and reference to the work of others. I have also read the University's Academic Honesty Policy. I give permission for my assessment work to be reproduced and submitted to other academic staff for the purposes of assessment and to be copied, submitted and retained in a form suitable for electronic checking of plagiarism.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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