This is a winter-intensive course delivered over three weeks during the mid-year semester break. The course explores the encounters between Oceanic and Western models, values, and embodied experiences of gender and sexuality. The course examines the debates about universalism and relativism, nature and culture, and personhood and identity in understanding the differences between women, men, and transgendered persons. The course takes a historical and contextual approach to examine the transformations of patterns of gender and sexuality in the Pacific through the successive encounters of exploratory voyages, Christian missions, labour trade and plantation development, World War II and militarism, and mobility and the diaspora. Key thematic areas will include historic influences on gender and sexuality in the Pacific; historical and contemporary portrayals of gender and sexuality; contemporary debates about women’s influence and participation in church and state; gendered economies, kinship and land; transnational and regional feminisms and human rights; gendered violence; gender, sexuality, health and HIV; and gender and sexual identities. The course will integrate readings and performances of literature, drama, and visual media by both Oceanic and foreign authors and artists. Indigenous Pacific Islander approaches to engaging and learning about Oceania are highlighted. The course draws upon the extensive academic expertise at ANU in gender and Pacific studies and is especially suitable for students of anthropology, history, politics, gender, sexuality and culture, Pacific studies, and development studies in both CAP and CASS. It will focus on an examination and comparisons of case studies from countries across Oceania.
GEND3002 is essential for anyone seeking to work in the Pacific region and/or with Pacific communities. The course provides a foundational understanding of gender and sexuality in Pacific Island societies, reinforced with culturally specific case studies. It complements and builds on the learning outcomes of PASI2001 and offers essential Pacific Region perspectives on key themes in the Gender Studies Program at ANU.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Speak and write about theories, contexts, and research approaches relevant to gender and sexuality in Pacific Studies;
- Understand and use key concepts from transnational gender and sexuality studies and demonstrate how these concepts engage or not with the Pacific in a critical and original way;
- Identify relevant ethnographic, historical, and theoretical literature for understanding models, values, and embodied experiences of gender and sexuality in the Pacific;
- Demonstrate understanding of the diversity of perspectives - Indigenous, popular, policy ,and scholarly - in debates in Oceania on gender and sexuality and how these different perspectives influence contemporary issues;
- Create coherent and original arguments through scholarly and/or creative forms.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:- Written comments
- Verbal comments
- Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus 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.Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Gender and Sexual Crossings: Nature and Culture in Oceania | |
2 | Relationality, Individual Autonomy and Heteronormative Moderns | |
3 | Gender, Sexuality and Race: Representations from European Exploratory Voyages to Contemporary Visual Arts | |
4 | Changing Homes and Clothes: Engendering Indigenous Christianities | |
5 | Sites of Desire: Gendered and Raced Bodies in the Landscape | |
6 | Gender Dynamics of Land and Commoditisation | |
7 | Engendering Violence and Peace | |
8 | Gender and Climate Change | |
9 | Gender, Human Rights and Development |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
General participation 5% | 5 % | * | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Student led group presentations 10% | 10 % | * | 2,3,5 |
Online reflective responses to film or art 10% | 10 % | * | 1,4,5 |
Reflective essay (25%) | 25 % | 31/07/2024 | 1,4,5 |
Major Essay 50% | 50 % | 28/08/2024 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
* 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.Participation
In addition to active participation through student-led discussions, group activities and two brief written responses to course themes, students will produce one reflective essay based on personal responses to course content and a second major essay focused on a particular theme or issue discussed in lectures. Assessment pieces will indicate the student's ability to use key concepts explored in the course, reflect critically on these concepts, generate relevant questions and shape independent arguments. Assessments will enhance the student’s authority in scholarly and other forms of communication beyond the written word, including integrating research into creative forms of expression and critical reflection.
Descriptions and assessment rubrics for each assessment item will be discussed in class on the first day and uploaded on the course Wattle site.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
General participation 5%
5% for general participation.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 2,3,5
Student led group presentations 10%
10% for student-led presentations around class themes.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,4,5
Online reflective responses to film or art 10%
10% for two (each worth 5%) online responses of 200-300 (Undergraduate) and 300-350 (Graduate) words each.
Due dates: The first online response (5%) is due on Wednesday 10th July 11.55 pm. The second online response (5%
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,4,5
Reflective essay (25%)
25% for a reflective essay: Undergraduate: 1500 words; Graduate: 2500 words. Due date: Wednesday 31st July, 11.55 pm.
Assessment Task 5
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Major Essay 50%
(Undergraduate: 2500 words; Graduate: 3500)
Due date: Wednesday 28th August, 11.55 pm
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
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.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.
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.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.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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Research InterestsDr. Nayahamui Rooney |
Nayahamui Rooney
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Instructor
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Research InterestsDr. Nayahamui Rooney |
Nayahamui Rooney
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