Key facts

UNE unit code: SOCY305

*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Not offered in 2027
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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What is gender? How is it linked to sexuality, ethnicity, embodiment and environment? And how can gender analysis be applied to another field of study? These are just some of the questions explored in this engaging interdisciplinary unit.

You’ll be introduced to key gender theories from fields such as philosophy, sociology and literary studies, while learning to apply this knowledge across disciplinary contexts. The unit covers topics including the gender binary, equality, nature vs culture, and cross-cultural understandings of diverse bodies and identities. It also explores the intersections of gender with colonialism and kinship, the relationships between feminist, queer and anti-racist movements, and how language itself shapes how we think about these issues.

The core aim is to help you apply a ‘gender lens’ to a variety of research questions, including those in your own discipline. This unit also makes a valuable elective for those seeking to strengthen their professional skills with a nuanced understanding of gender issues. You’ll develop powerful analytical tools useful for research and policy analysis, and engage with some of today’s most pressing political and social challenges.

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
any 12cps
Restrictions
SOCY120 or SOCY505
Combined units

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Jennifer Hamilton
profile photo of Christina Kenny
Christina KennyLecturer, Sociology - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
profile photo of Felicity Joseph
Felicity JosephLecturer, Philosophy and Political Theory - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. broadly understand the historical, social and political origins of the gender binary and alternatives (including cultures with more than two genders and practices of gender self-determination in LGBTQAI+ communities);
  2. coherently identify, analyse and evaluate key issues relating to the concept of ‘gender’ that underpin the idea of gender as an identity and social category;
  3. select relevant methods for using gender and cognate concepts in critical analysis across different scholarly disciplines and cultural contexts; and
  4. demonstrate an understanding how theories of gender can be applied to study across different scholarly disciplines and/or professional objectives at work.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assessment 1Yes20%All offerings

Critical Reflection

No. Words: 1000

Assessment 2Yes30%All offerings

Report on Methods and Methodologies

No. Words: 1500

Assessment 3Yes50%All offerings

Interdisciplinary Project

No. Words: 2500

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

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