Objectives
The Centre for Women's studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to issues of gender and constructions of female subjectivity and experience, using a variety of feminist models of analysis. Students are thus required to develop a range of methodological skills by means of their engagement with different materials and discourses including historical documents, philosophy, sociological perspectives, considerations of geographical space and location, semiotic analyses of texts, and crosscultural representations of gender. In the context of this disciplinary diversity, the centre aims to introduce students to questions about the formulation of sexual difference, the reproduction of roles of gender and different accounts of the construction of patriarchy or phallocentrism. A consideration of contemporary debates necessarily involves an engagement with the wide-ranging field of writings within theoretical feminisms, thereby challenging students to develop a proficiency with skills of theoretical analysis and critique.
Pass courses
Students wishing to focus on the study of women and gender in their selection of courses for the BA degree may do so in three ways:
(i) Major sequence in women's studies
This will comprise of a first-year sequence in the BA degree; the core women's studies subject WMN2240/3240 (Introduction to contemporary feminist theory); a choice of three of the other four courses currently offered within women's studies - WMN2110 (Representations of women and gender in Australian society), WMN2120 (Marriage: comparative perspectives), WMN3110 (Sexual difference), and WMN2260/3260 (Sexing the text); plus an additional eight-point subject to be selected from the cross-listed options within the faculty.
(ii) Minor sequence in women's studies
This will comprise of a first-year sequence in the BA degree; the core womens' studies subject WMN2240/3240 (Introduction to contemporary feminist theory); a choice of three of the other four courses currently offered within women's studies - WMN2110 (Representations of women and gender in Australian society), WMN2120 (Marriage: comparative perspectives), WMN3110 (Sexual difference), and WMN2260/3260 (Sexing the text: constructions of female sexuality).
(iii) Individual subjects
Students may take individual subjects dealing with issues of women and gender that are offered either within women's studies or within other discipline sequences. Students wishing to vary the components of their minor or major sequences should consult with the women's studies coordinator of undergraduate studies.
Minor sequence
A minor sequence comprises subjects totalling a minimum of twenty-eight points at second and third-year level. The prerequisite for the minor sequence is usually a first-year sequence. The minor sequence consists of the following: the core women's studies subject WMN2240/3240 (Introduction to contemporary feminist theory); a choice of three of the other four courses currently offered within women's studies - WMN2110 (Representations of women and gender in Australian society), WMN2120 (Marriage: comparative perspectives), WMN3110 (Sexual difference) and WMN2260/3260 (Sexing the text: constructions of female sexuality).
Major sequence
A major sequence comprises subjects totalling forty points over second and third-year levels. The prerequisite for the major sequence is usually a first-year sequence. The major sequence consists of the following: the core women's studies subject WMN2240/3240 (Introduction to contemporary feminist theory); a choice of three of the other four courses currently offered within women's studies - (WMN2110 Representations of women and gender in Australian society), WMN2120 (Marriage: comparative perspectives), WMN3110 (Sexual difference), and WMN2260/3260 (Sexing the text); plus an additional eight-point subject to be selected from the cross-listed options within the faculty.
Honours and graduate work
At present there is no provision for students to enrol in women's studies at honours level. However, departments that offer specialist undergraduate courses are also able to provide supervision for theses and research projects with a focus on women and gender. The Centre for Women's Studies does offer a Master of Arts in women's studies by coursework alone, by coursework and minor thesis, and by major thesis. Interested students may also undertake a PhD in women's studies.
Advisers
Anthropology and Sociology: Lucy Healey and Jan van Bommel; Asian Languages and Studies: Barbara Hatley; Greek, Roman and Egyptian Studies: Alba Romano; Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies: Elizabeth Grosz; English: Jenny Strauss; Education: Georgina Tsolidis;Geography and Environmental Science: Katherine Gibson; German Studies: Silke Hesse; History: Marian Quartly; Law: Bronwyn Naylor; Linguistics: Anne Pauwels; Philosophy: Karen Green; Politics: Sue Blackburn; Visual Arts: Leonie Naughton.
First-year level
Any relevant first-year sequence in the BA degree.
Second-year level
Students taking either a minor or major sequence in women's studies should select subjects from the following list to the value of at least twelve points at second-year level:
The centre recommends the following compulsory subject be taken at second-year level:
* WMN2240/3240 Introduction to contemporary feminist theory (8 points)
Other second-year level subjects
* WMN2110 Representations of women and gender in Australian society (8 points)
* WMN2120 Marriage: comparative perspectives (8 points) (proposed to be next offered in 1996)
* WMN2260/3260 Sexing the text: constructions of female sexuality (8 points)
Optional subjects
Anthropology and sociology
* WMN2031 Sexuality, gender and social relations
* WMN2210 Gender and sociology
* WMN2130 Race and sexual politics
Greek, Roman and Egyptian studies
* WMN2410 Women in Roman society
* WMN2670 Gender representation in classical literature
Comparative literature and cultural studies
* WMN2010 Introduction to critical theory
English
* WMN2060 Critical and literary theory
* WMN2220 The woman's part
Geography and environmental science
* WMN2471 Gender and urban restructuring
German
* WMN2750 Women and German writing
History
* WMN2410 History of sexuality, 1800 to the preset (Peninsula only)
* WMN2810 Gender and sexuality in Victorian Britain
Linguistics
* WMN2380 Language, communication and the sexes
Philosophy
* WMN2230 Feminist philosophers
Visual arts
* WMN2000 The other side of the avant-garde: twentieth century women's art history
Third-year level
Students taking either a minor or a major sequence in women's studies should select subjects from the following list to the value of at least twelve points at third-year level:
* WMN2240/3240 Introduction to contemporary feminist theory (8 points)
* WMN3110 Sexual difference (8 points)
* WMN2260/3260 Sexing the text: constructions of female sexuality (8 points)
The remaining subjects necessary to complete the forty points required within a major sequence should be selected from the following optional listings:
Optional subjects
For full details of these subjects consult the relevant departmental or centre entry.
Anthropology and sociology
* WMN3010 Sexed media, media-ted sex
* WMN3180 Sexuality, gender and social relations
* WMN3310 Women, gender and society
* WMN3340 Women and social control
* WMN3360 Sociology of the family
* WMN3630 Feminism and anthropology
Asian languages and studies
* WMN3290 Gender and its representation in Indonesian society and literature
Greek, Roman and Egyptian studies
* WMN3410 Women in Roman society
* WMN3670 Gender representation in classical literature
Comparative literature amd cultural studies
* WMN3010 Introduction to critical theory
* WMN3050 Freud and Feminism
* WMN3780 Women in Latin American writing
English
* WMN3550 Contemporary women's fiction and theory
* WMN3210 The woman's part
* WMN3570 Writing women
Geography and environmental science
* WMN3741 Gender and Urban Restructuring
German
* WMN3750 Women and German writing
History
* WMN3420 History of sexuality, 1800 to the present (Peninsula only)
* WMN3810 Gender and sexuality in Victorian Britain
Linguistics
* WMN3380 Language, communication and the sexes
Philosophy
* WMN3230 Feminist Philosophers
* WMN3370 Contemporary Moral Problems
Visual arts
* WMN3000 The other side of the avant-garde: twentieth century women's art history