This course examines the role played by women in the social and cultural sphere in the modern Middle East focusing on Iran, Turkey and the Arabic speaking region. It explores the intersection of feminist activism with the cultural sphere and how women in the region have used cultural productions such as literature, cinema, music, visual and performing arts to advance an agenda on women's right and women's equality. Women in the Middle East are wrongly portrayed in some mainstream western discourses as passive, 'in need of saving' and oppressed but in reality, women in the region have been at the forefront of various political and social movements of change and have a vibrant culture of feminist activism and mobilization that stem from local realities and cultural specificities.
The course offers two sessions on feminist movements and trends in the Middle East taking into consideration local perceptions of feminism and incorporating the role of religion and culture while examining how the states in the region have played a role in shaping women's movements. It then offers case studies of women's social and cultural mobilization from Iran, Turkey and the Arabic speaking region. The aim is to show the diversity of women's feminisms, feminist activism and mobilization through cultural production and other means and through advancing an agenda of women and LGBTQ rights.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify women’s role in the making of a feminist culture in the Middle East through the works of women's activists and cultural producers;
- recognize and analyze the fundamental role of women in the region in shaping social and political movements of change;
- know how to select and combine materials from a topic relevant to the role of women in Middle Eastern contemporary culture and present them in a coherent matter; and
- identify the elements shaping modern Middle Eastern culture through the prism of gender relations.
Other Information
Gender, Sexuality, and Culture Major
International Communication Minor
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major - ANU
Indicative Assessment
- Essay 1: 1500 words (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Essay 2: 2000 (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Tutorial participation, attendance, contribution to class discussion on core readings (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
All Reading Material are listed in the course guide and also posted on Wattle in the reading list.
Preliminary Reading
The reading list is in the course guide and posted on wattle for each week.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
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.