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:

1. examine and describe philosophical issues, keywords and contemporary debates in the philosophy of gender and feminist theory;
2. critically reflect on ideas in contemporary scholarship on gendered embodiment, feminist epistemology and theories of power;
3. articulate and defend written arguments for and against positions using rationally persuasive argumentation;
4. demonstrate an understanding of how theories of gender can be applied in contemporary contexts and to real-world challenges; and
5. engage in well-reasoned oral discussion and debate, substantiating viewpoints with justified arguments.

Research-Led Teaching

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, with a focus on Judith Butler's influential account.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

n/a

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Readings will be made available online.

Recommended Resources

See WATTLE.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course: written comments, verbal comments, feedback to the whole class, to tutorial groups, to individuals (on request)

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

The information published in this Class Summary may be subject to change, any changes in assessments or other course details will be communicated via Wattle and during the first week of the Semester. Any questions or concerns should be raised with the course convenor/lecturer as soon as possible.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to course and overview	Keyword: Other
2	Gender Trouble: Gender as Performative	Keyword: PerformativityRequired - Keyword
3	The Social Construction of Gender	Keyword: Oppression Required - Keyword
4	Public holiday: Pre-recorded lecture -- Bodies that Matter	Keyword: MatterRequired - KeywordFirst essay questions released, essay due in semester break
5	Queer Life and Ethical Life	Keyword: Liveability Required - Keyword
6	Feminism and Women: Universality and Difference	Keyword: Universal Required - Keyword
7	Speech Acts and Acts of Violence	Keyword: VulnerabilityRequired - Keyword Final Essay Questions Released
8	READING WEEK No lecture due to public holiday. Extra reading: generate an annotated bibliography for final essay.	Tutorials will discuss how to approach the final essay.
9	Gendered Social Contracts: Questions of Consent	Keyword: Consent Required - Keyword
10	Feminist Epistemologies	Keyword: Ignorance Required - Keyword
11	Epistemic Injustice and Gendered Knowledge	Keyword: Epistemic InjusticeRequired - Keyword
12	Conclusions: Feminism, Philosophy and Critique	Complete final essay

Tutorial Registration

Please sign up for a tutorial time using 'MY TIMETABLE'.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Short essay	30 %	07/04/2025	1, 2, 3
Long essay	60 %	27/05/2025	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Keyword 1	0 %	11/03/2025	1, 2
Keyword 2	5 %	16/05/2025	1, 2
Tutorial participation	5 %	23/05/2025	1.2.3.

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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

This course is in person, with the expectation that you will attend wherever possible. You will get the most out of the course if you show up regularly and engage with the in-class activities.

Each week you must prepare by doing the reading in advance of classes. Writing 100-300 words on each keyword every week is necessary as preparation for the class.

Examination(s)

No

Assessment Task 1

Short essay

In up to 1400 words address one of the questions set in week 4 of the course. This is a hurdle assessment - you cannot complete the course without submitting this essay.

Presentation requirements for all written tasks: Please use 12 pt font and 1.5 line spacing. 

Submit as word doc or as pdf.

A rubric is provided on wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Long essay

In up to 2800 words address one of the questions set in week 7 of the course. This is a hurdle assessment - you cannot complete the course without submitting this essay.

Presentation requirements for all written tasks: Please use 12 pt font and 1.5 line spacing. 

Submit as word doc or as pdf.

A rubric is provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 3

Keyword 1

Keywords have been identified in this course to serve as a focal point in each week's discussion of the philosophy of gender. Each week, in a brief note, 100-300 words, describe the significance and use of the keyword in the context of the reading set for the course. Briefly explain its conceptual background and its applicability to a problem. This is an exercise that will not be assessed but is required as an ongoing, but un-assessed task. You may be asked to share your keyword commentary informally in the relevant tutorial, so please come prepared.

FOR ASSESSMENT purposes, 1 of these keywords must be written up during the course and submitted via Turnitin (Assessment tasks 3). This submission will not be graded, but is a requirement of the course.

Another of these keyword explanations will be formally presented in class (This is keyword assessment 4, worth 5 percent, see below).

Assessment Task 4

Keyword 2

 Keyword 2 will form the basis of a brief contribution to the tutorial discussion, which is required of all students at some point during the course, and before the end of week 12. See assessment task 3 for further details.

Assessment Task 5

Tutorial participation

Tutorial participation will be assessed on the basis of verbal contributions to discussion, with an expectation that you are able to discuss the topic when called upon to do so and that you volunteer contributions. Listening and responding constructively to others are also valued contributions. Tutorial performance counts for 5% and will be assessed in terms of the quality of contributions to discussion: insight, relevance and appropriateness of comments, based on proper preparation for the class. Proper preparation includes doing the weekly reading and reflecting on the keywords.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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) 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.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Via WATTLE

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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

Assignments may not be resubmitted.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students