GSSA 2105EX - Gender and Race in a Postcolonial World

External - Semester 1 - 2015

Beginning from the insight that both `gender? and `race? are defined differently in different contexts, this course studies how these identities are constructed in transnational and cross-cultural contexts, including colonial encounters, postcolonial politics, and contemporary development discourse. Some central questions will be: How has colonial history influenced concepts of race, gender and nation? Are Western concepts of race and gender applicable to the experiences and ideas of 'other' cultures? What do those who write as 'Third World Women' say about Western feminism? How does masculinity operate on a global scale? How do women, men and transgendered people negotiate with local and global constructions of gendered and/or national identity? The emphasis throughout the course will be on the ways in which cultural and gender identities are never encountered in isolation but are always constructed `intersectionally? in terms of one another. Case studies may be drawn from Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East and Australia, and will include some recent 'hot topics' such as sex trafficking, women in Islam, and/or the Northern Territory Intervention.

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Course Details

Course Code	GSSA 2105EX
Course	Gender and Race in a Postcolonial World
Coordinating Unit	Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	External
Units	3
Contact	Online
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	12 units of Level 1 study
Incompatible	GWSI 2005E, GWSI 3005EX, GWSI 2105, GWSI 2105EX
Assessment	500 word annotated bibliography (10%), 2000 word essay (35%), 3000 word research essay (45%), online small group discussion participation (10%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Anna Szorenyi

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Demonstrate understanding of the transnational and cross-cultural dimensions of gender relations
2	Demonstrate understanding of the social construction of race and gender in colonial and postcolonial contexts
3	Locate, access and evaluate relevant sources of information on topics related to gender and race
4	Compare, synthesise and evaluate competing perspectives on contemporary cross-cultural issues in gender and sexuality with attention to issues of social justice and ethics
5	Conduct in-depth research into a specific topic relating to gender and race in a global or local context
6	Use appropriate language, terminology and concepts for discussing gender and feminist thought in global contexts
7	Utilise understanding of diversity to communicate more ethically and effectively in cross-cultural and gender-diverse contexts
8	Construct a clear, coherent and independent argument which responds to a particular question and is supported by appropriate scholarly evidence, within identified timeframes.

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)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,2,3,6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	3, 4
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	5,6, 7, 8
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	6,7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-8
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	3,6,7,8
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1,2,4,6,7

Learning Resources
Required Resources

GSSA 2105 Course Reader
The reader contains the set readings for each topic. It will be available for sale from the Unified Online Shop. Students are expected to purchase this Reader and use it to prepare for each week’s classes.

Recommended Resources
- Bulbeck, Chilla (1998) Re-Orienting Western Feminisms: women’s diversity in a ‘postcolonial’ world. New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Mohanty, Chandra (2003) Feminism without borders: Decolonizing theory, practicing solidarity. Durham: Duke University Press.
- Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Maryrose Casey and Fiona Nicoll (Eds.) (2008), Transnational Whiteness Matters, Lexington Books.
- Spencer, Stephen (2006) Race and ethnicity : culture, identity and representation London ; New York : Routledge Caliendo,Stephen M and McIlwain, Charlton D (eds.) (2011) The Routledge Companion to Race and Ethnicity Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxley: Routledge.
Students who do not have a background in Gender Studies should consider consulting at least one of the following texts early in the course:
- Connell, Raewyn (2009) Gender: In World Perspective. Cambridge: Polity. (Good introduction)
- Aulette, J.R., J. Wittner & K. Blakely (2009). Gendered Worlds. New York: Oxford University Press (for a clear basic guide to a wide range of gender issues)
- Beasley, C. (2005) Gender and Sexuality: Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers. London: Sage (for a more advanced guide to theoretical ideas)
- Davis, K., M. Evans & J. Lorber (2006) Handbook of Gender and Women’s Studies London: Sage (for general reference)
- Holmes, Mary (2009) Gender and Everyday Life. London: Routledge.
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 Modes

The basis for this course is reading from your course reader and further reading lists. Each week the recorded lecture will provide an overview of your reading and help you to understand and synthesise it, developing an overall map of the course content and its relation to contemporary issues and events. In your tutorial/online discussion each week you will develop your own abilities by (a) practicing your reading, interpretation and discussion skills, (b) working with other students on finding answers and exploring problems, and (c) asking for assistance on anything that is not clear. Your assignments are where you 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
	TOTAL = 156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1	Introduction: Key concepts: gender, race, spectatorship
Week 2	Gender and colonialism
Week 3	Gender and nationalism
Week 4	Colonial feminisms and the Third World critique
Week 5	Gender, globalisation and development
Week 6	Women’s rights, cultural rights & ‘harmful traditional practices’
Week 7	Contemporary gender scandals I: Sex work or ‘sex trafficking’?
Week 8	Contemporary gender scandals II: Women and Islam
Week 9	Contemporary gender scandals III: Sex abuse in Indigenous communities
Week 10	Negotiating the global I: Masculinities & femininities
Week 11	Negotiating the global II: Sexualities, identities and sexual racisms
Week 12	Revision and essay consultations

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

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

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Online small group discussion participation	Formative and Summative	10%	1-7
500 word annotated bibliography	Formative and Summative	10%	1-7
2000 word essay	Formative and Summative	35%	1-7
3000 word research essay	Formative and Summative	45%	1-7

Assessment Related Requirements

Participation on MyUni is compulsory. You are required to participate in 7 discussion topics throughout semester. Topics will be open for one week at a time so you must participate regularly; you cannot make up your participation all at once.
If you do not meet this requirement you will fail the participation grade. Students with valid reasons for non-participation may be offered the opportunity to make up for missed topics by doing extra written work.

Assessment Detail

Literature Search Exercise
This task is designed to improve your library search skills and help you discover how to find scholarly literature. Your task is to develop a search strategy, find the most relevant and interesting academic sources on your chosen topic, and then write a short annotated bibliography showcasing your findings.

Minor Essay
A list of topics will be circulated. Your task is to write a 1500 - 2000 word argumentative essay giving YOUR opinion on the topic (for, against, or something in between), and providing reasons and evidence to back up your opinion. You must refer to relevant articles from your course reader.

Research Assignment
You will complete a research essay on a particular region, issue, or topic. Topics will be circulated in mid-semester.

Tutorial Participation
Each week you need to come to tutorial class well-prepared. This means listening to the lecture and reading the readings set down for that week. In class we will complete small group exercises. You will be assessed on level of partcipation in discussion and exercises, and evidence of engagement with course materials

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator