ASM4630

Feminism cross-culturally

Proposed to be offered next in 2000

Helen Johnson

12 points -2 hours per week -Clayton

Objectives Students in this subject can expect to develop an understanding of the theoretical and political problems in studying and writing about particular women's and feminist issues across cultural boundaries; an awareness of how cultural boundaries are constructed in diverse ways through gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, religion, nationality and historical events (such as colonialism), and the differences these may make to feminist analyses and activism; knowledge about specific debates and issues generated amongst diverse feminists (eg the role of the 'the state' in women's lives, the politicisation of cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, the ethnographic representation of Islam and Muslim women); an enhanced ability to engage in independent library research through the preparation of a research essay on a topic of their choice; demonstrate some understanding of the epistemological, ethical and political issues in researching a culturally contentious topic.

Synopsis This subject is about the theoretical and political problems in studying and writing about particular women's and feminist issues across cultural boundaries. Students are introduced to the way these boundaries are constructed in diverse ways through gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, religion, nationality, and historical events (such as colonialism), and the differences these may make to feminist analyses and activism. Topics are examined from the perspective of immigrant, 'Third World', and post-colonial critics of 'Western' feminists, as well as those of 'Western' feminists who engage in cross-cultural research. Students are expected to develop knowledge about specific debates and issues generated amongst diverse feminists (eg the role of the state in women's lives, the politicisation of cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, the representation of women and Islam).

Assessment Written (9000 words): 90% -Participation: 10%

Recommended texts

Minh-ha T Woman, native, other: Writing, post-coloniality and feminism Indiana U P, 1989
Mohanty C and others Third world women and the politics of feminism Indiana U P, 1991
Moore H Feminism and anthropology Polity Press, 1988
Moore H A passion for difference Polity Press, 1994
Ramazanoglu C Feminism and the contradictions of oppression Routledge, 1989

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