Anthropology is uniquely situated to look into concepts and theories of gender, sex and sexuality through its concern with the culturally-specific character of human categories and practices. This course explores gender, sex and sexuality across a range of cultural settings seeking, in the process, to question most of what we—including most theorists of sex/gender—take for granted about the gendered and sexed character of human identity and difference. Topics explored include: the saliency of the categories man and woman; the relationships between race and gender; the role of colonialism and neocolonialism in the representation of gender, sex and sexuality; the usefulness of the notion of oppression; the relationship between cultural conceptions of personhood and cultural conceptions of gender; and the ethnocentricity of the concepts of gender, sex and sexuality themselves. To assist these explorations we will make use of cross-cultural case studies in a number of areas including rape, prostitution, work and domesticity, the third sex and homosexuality.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon Successful completion of this course, students will be able to:- Recognise and describe a wide range of (often unfamiliar) knowledges and practices pertaining to sex/gender found throughout the world;
- Interrogate and denaturalise assumptions about sex/gender found in contemporary western societies (including Australia);
- Identify the ethnocentric character of many concepts used by theorists of sex/gender; and
- Analyse the place and meaning, in their own cultural contexts, of a range of gendered beliefs and practices.
Research-Led Teaching
The course encourages students to explore the cultural constitution of gender through independent research, including that for the tutorial presentation and the essay. In the process students will investigate how gender works in different cultural settings, and thus how it links to a range of other sociocultural elements, including sexuality, personhood, racialization, the body, politics, kinship and the economy.
Additional Course Costs
There are no additional costs for this course.
Examination Material or equipment
There is no in-class examination for this course.
Required Resources
There are no required resources for this course.
Recommended Resources
There are no recommended resources for this course.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- Written comments to individuals.
- Verbal comments to individuals.
- Verbal comments to tutorial groups.
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Other Information
Referencing requirements
You may use any recognised referencing system – for example, Harvard, APA, Chicago, MLA – in this course. The important thing is that you use it properly and that you are consistent. If in doubt please use Chicago (they have both in-text and footnote styles), consult their online citation guide here: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Introductory Lecture: Sex, Gender and the Anthropologist Tutorials DO start in the first week | |
2 | Lecture: Nature/ Culture | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
3 | Lecture: Regimes of Power: Colonialism, Rescue and Development | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
4 | Lecture: Regimes of Power: Violence and Rape | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
5 | Lecture: Bodies: Sex, Sexuality and Gender Case Study: Women with Moustaches and Men without Beards | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
6 | Lecture: Bodies: Sex, Sexuality and Gender | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
7 | Lecture: Becoming and Embodying: Boys, Men, Initiation, and Masculinity NOTE: Wednesday tutes are rescheduled due to ANZAC day | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
8 | Lecture: Making and Embodying: Making and Unmaking Women | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
9 | Lecture: Mating and Relating: The Family | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
10 | Lecture: Reproduction, Motherhood, Technology and Termination | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
11 | Lecture: The Commodification and Intimacy: Sex Work and Other Labours | Tutorial Leadership and Participation |
12 | Lecture: 2018 and Beyond: Where are ‘we’ headed? |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tutorial Participation | 10 % | 31/05/2019 | 31/05/2019 | 1,2,3,4 |
Tutorial Leadership | 10 % | 31/05/2019 | 31/05/2019 | 1,2,3,4 |
Essay 1 | 40 % | 15/04/2019 | 29/04/2019 | 1,2,3,4 |
Essay 2 | 40 % | 03/06/2019 | 14/06/2019 | 1,2,3,4 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Tutorial Participation
You will be given a mark for tutorial participation. You should note that the mark you receive will not be determined by how much you have to say. Rather, it will be based on demonstration that you have read the required readings for that week, that you have thought about them in relation to the tutorial question and the lecture, and that you are prepared to discuss them.
Value: 10%
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Tutorial Leadership
During each week from Weeks 2-12, one or two students will take on a leadership role in the tutorial. This will include: a quick (5 minute) summary of the readings that responds to the weekly tutorial question(s), using questions to initiate discussion, and managing the resulting discussion to ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard. Tutors will be available to assist with these tasks and ensure the tutorial stays on track, but it is expected that students will take the primary lead. You are required to submit a set of notes (maximum 300 words) that you used to prepare for the tutorial by the end of the day in which you lead the tutorial. Word limit: 300 words. Value: 10%
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Essay 1
The essay will relate to issues covered in Weeks 1-6. You will be expected to do some independent research for it. Topics will be provided early in the course, and time will be put aside in tutorials to discuss how to go about writing your essay.</p><p>Assessment Criteria: The assessment criteria used for marking the essay is available on the course. Value: 40%.Due date: Monday, 15th of April Estimated return date: Monday, 29th of April (if submitted by the due date). Word limit: 2,000 words.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Essay 2
The second essay will relate to issues covered in Weeks 7-12. You will be expected to do some independent research for it.Topics will be provided after the return of the first essay, and time will be put aside in tutorials to discuss how to go about writing your essay. Word Limit: 2,000 words. Due date: Monday, 3rd of June Estimated return date: Friday, 14th of June.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Returning Assignments
Student work will be returned via Turnitin.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Resubmission of Assignments
Students are not permitted to resubmit.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Simone Dennis
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Instructor
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Dr Stephanie Betz
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Instructor
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Simon Theobald
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