GEND 2019 - Gender and Race in a Postcolonial World II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

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 I undergraduate study
    Incompatible GSSA 2105/EX, GSSA 3001/EX, GEND 2019EX, GEND 3019/EX
    Assessment Literature search (1500 words) 40%, Research essay (2000 word) 50%, Tutorial participation/SGDE 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.

    If you are having trouble fitting this course into your timetable, you may like to consider the fully online version with flexible timing each week - enrol in GEND 2019OL.

    Note also this course is offered at both level 2 and level 3. If you'd like to study at 3rd year level, enrol in GEND 3019 or 3019OL.

    This course is offered in odd-numbered years only.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

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

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

    Discuss the impact of historical constructions of race and gender on specified contemporary global and local gender issues

    Demonstrate knowledge of competing perspectives on contemporary cross-cultural issues in gender and sexuality

    Critically evaluate contemporary approaches to gender ‘scandals’ according to suggested criteria of social justice, ethics, and respect for diversity

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

    Demonstrate interpersonal and teamwork skills in group activities

    Apply given bibliographic research methods to locate and evaluate relevant sources of information on a set topic related to gender and race

    Conduct in-depth research into a set topic relating to gender and race in a particular context

    9.

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

    10. 

    Construct a clear, coherent and independent argument, which responds to a set 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)
    1-4
    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
    1-4
    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
    5,6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5-10
    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
    1,2,4,5,6
    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
    2,4,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Set readings and learning modules will be provided on MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    The course MyUni site will provide extensive resources including recorded lectures and other course materials, set readings, recommended readings, assignment submission and grading, and further resources for assignments. 


    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 a lecture or online learning module 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 form. 
    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
    1000 word short essay Formative & summative

    TBA: Early in semester

    30% 1-5, 7, 9, 10
    Quiz Formative and summative TBA: After mid-semester break 15% 7, 8, 10
    2000 word research essay Summative TBA: Late in semester 45% 1-5, 7-10
    Online/tutorial participation Formative and summative Throughout semester 10% 1-6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are expected to complete the weekly online lecture/quiz as preparation for tutorials. 







    Assessment Detail
    1000 word short essay:
    Students will write a short essay on a set topic 

    Online quiz
    Students will complete a quiz designed to help build library search skills 

    Online/tutorial participation:
    Each week students will be expected to complete an online learning module/lecture, and bring their notes to class to use in discussion.  

    2000 word research essay:
    Students will complete an argumentative research essay based on a set topic 


    Submission
    All assignments will be submitted online via MyUni.


    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.