This advanced undergraduate course introduces students to major strands of philosophical research in the field of gender. In particular, the course examines feminist epistemology, which has had a wide-ranging influence; feminist discourses on power that seek to interpret gendered phenomena in public and private contexts; and theories of the nature and reality of gender. Philosophers have been among the leading theorists of gender (Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, Elizabeth Grosz, for instance) and have advanced important theories of knowledge and power to which gendered relations are central. By paying attention to the explicitly philosophical context from which our most influential accounts of gender arise, students will gain depth and subtlety in their capacity to interpret the nuances of gendered realities.
This course will therefore be of interest to students with a background or interest in gender studies as well as to philosophers. It encourages students to think about the complexities of gender, gendered relations, embodiment, inequality and power as these impact how we understand wider questions of social and political order. By philosophically exploring gender as an aspect of knowledge, self-hood, social institutions, and political hierarchy, students will be well placed to critically evaluate key debates around gender in the contemporary world.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- Define and critically analyse keywords and contemporary debates in the philosophy of gender.
- Compare, contrast and reflect on contemporary scholarship on gendered embodiment, feminist epistemology and theories of power.
- Recognise, distinguish and appraise research and methods in philosophical terms, in the field of gender and feminist theory.
- Develop and express a well-argued critical perspective on key questions presented in the course.
- Understand how theories of gender can be applied in contemporary contexts.
Indicative Assessment
Short essay, 1300 words 20% LO 1, 2, 3Long essay, 3200 words 60% LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Tutorial Presentation, 5 minutes, approx equivalent to 600 words 10% LO 1, 2
Tutorial Participation 10% LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 35 hours of contact (over 12 weeks): 24 hours of lectures and 11 hours of tutorials.
b) 95 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
All relevant readings will be posted in WATTLE.
Majors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $3120 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4800 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4132 | 22 Feb 2021 | 01 Mar 2021 | 31 Mar 2021 | 28 May 2021 | In Person | View |