GEND 2019 - Gender and Race in a Postcolonial World II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

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.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEND 2019
    Course Gender and Race in a Postcolonial World II
    Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level 1 undergraduatge study
    Incompatible GSSA 2105/EX, GSSA 3001/EX, GEND 2019EX, GEND 3019/EX
    Course Description 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.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Anna Szorenyi

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    Demonstrate understanding of the transnational and cross-cultural dimensions of gender relations

    Demonstrate understanding of the social construction of race and gender in colonial and postcolonial contexts

    Locate, access and evaluate relevant sources of information on topics related to gender and race

    Compare, synthesise and evaluate competing perspectives on contemporary cross-cultural issues in gender and sexuality with attention to issues of social justice and ethics

    Conduct in-depth, independent research into a specific topic relating to gender and race in a particular context

    Use appropriate language, terminology and concepts for discussing gender and feminist thought in global contexts

    Utilise understanding of diversity to communicate more ethically and effectively in cross-cultural and gender-diverse contexts

    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)
    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)
    1,2,5
    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
    3,4
    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
    7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5,6,7
    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
    4,5,7
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    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
    MyUni will provide extensive resources including further reading lists, study skills guides, Turnitin, useful web links. The course will also have a library page with links to reference works, useful texts, and recommended databases.
    Online Learning
    The course has a MyUni/Canvas page which will provide announcements, course information, recorded lectures, set readings, discussion, essay topics, web resources and advice for your assignments. You can set Canvas to forward announcements to your email or SMS 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 basis for this course is reading from your course reader and further reading lists. Each week the 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 and will require independent research. 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.

    1x2 hour lecture per week (24 hours per semester)
    1x1 hour tutorial per week 12 hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week (72 hours per semester)
    2 hours research per week (24 hours per semester)
    2 hours assignment preparation per week (24 hours per semester)

    TOTAL = 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction: Key concepts: gender, race, spectatorship
    Week 2 Gender and colonialism
    Week 3 Gender, nationalism and war
    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 panics I: Sex work or ‘sex trafficking’?
    Week 8 Contemporary gender panics II: Women and Islam
    Week 9 Contemporary gender panics 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
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Small group discussion exercises:
    In each tutorial students will work in groups of up to 6 students, to complete small group discussion exercises that require collecting information (from course materials and other sources), analysing problems, debating issues and making recommendations. They will share the results of their discussion with the rest of the class. The tutor will be available for assistance on request, and will work closely with at least one small group each week to provide further expertise, encouragement and guidance.
  • 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
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    1500 word literature search & short essay Formative & summative

    TBA: Early in semester

    40% 1-5, 7, 9, 10
    2000 word research essay Summative TBA: Late in semester 50% 1-5, 7-10
    Tutorial participation/SGDE Formative and summative Throughout semester 10% 1-6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance:
    Students are required to attend tutorials.  Up to two tutorials may be missed during semester without formal penalty (but naturally you should expect this to impact on your learning).  

    Students who miss more than two tutorials during semester will receive less than 50% for their participation grade.

    Students who can provide documentary evidence of their reason for absence may be offered the opportunity to make up their absences by writing notes on the set readings of 300 words per missed tutorial.  Note that a medical certificate or other evidence does not exempt you making up tutorial absences, it allows you to do so.  

    Note that attendance is a hurdle requirement.  You do not receive marks for attending tutorials; you receive them for participating in tutorials (See Assessment Details).  

    Written Assignments:
    All written assignments should be submitted as Word or pdf documents, with 1.5 line spacing, wide margins, and the essay topic stated at the top of the first page.  

    All written assignments must be referenced in Harvard Style.  Details are available on the library website.







    Assessment Detail
    1500 word literature search and short essay:
    Students will conducted a literature search on a given topic, record their search strategy, and write a short essay on a set topic – 40%

    Tutorial participation/SGDE:
    Students will participate in small group discussion exercises that require collecting information (from course materials, and other sources), analysing problems, debating issues and making recommendations. Further discussion topics will clarify course learning and prepare for assignments – 10%.

    2000 word research essay:
    Students will select a particular location of the world and conduct independent research for an argumentative research essay based on a set topic – 50%.

    Further details of assignment topics and assessment criteria/rubrics will be provided via Canvas.  Do not complete your assignment without looking up these details.  
    Submission

    Written assignments must be submitted electonrically via Turnitin on Canvas.
    Students who are unable to access Canvas may submit a hard copy to the School of Social Sciences, with an assignment cover sheet.  

    Assignments must be submitted before 11.55pm on the due date.  

    Extensions should be sought by contacting your tutor and must be requested before the due date and supported by documentary evidence.

    Assignments which are submitted late without an extension will lose 5% per working day late.  


    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.

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.