WSM4180

Sex, power, self: feminist interventions in contemporary discourse

Dr Helen Johnson and Dr Maryanne Dever

12 points -2 hours per week -First semester -Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students will have obtained an interdisciplinary approach to some of the central debates and issues within recent feminism, a detailed knowledge of key areas of contemporary feminist theory, an understanding of feminist research methodologies, the ability to communicate effectively and to a high level in both written and oral modes.

Synopsis This subject explores contemporary feminist theorisings about the mutually constitutive concepts of 'the body', sexual and gender difference, together with notions of female subjectivity and 'self.' It examines the anxieties concerning comparison, authenticity and identity which permeates debates about embodied consciousness, situated knowledges and 'female experience' through the study of three interconnected areas - sex, power and self. Using a cross-disciplinary approach to the material, the subject encourages the development of analytical skills which both broaden and deepen students' conceptual base, as well as illuminating an understanding of the diverse positions of multiple subjects.

Assessment (12 points) Seminar participation: 20% -A short applied research task (3000 words): 30% -A long research essay based on a seminar presentation, and on a topic relevant to the student's research interests (6000 words): 50%

Recommended reading

Garner H The first stone
Hospital J T Borderline (any edition)
Hurston Z N Their eyes were watching God (any edition)
Hurston Z N Dust tracks on a road (any edition)
Menchu R Rigoberta, an Indian woman of Guatemala (any edition)

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