HPL2505 - Courtesans, Concubines and Conquest

Leader: Dr Beth Edmondson

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will focus on the changing nature of roles and identities of women in a variety of social and political contexts. In particular, it will explore the status and power of women within a diverse array of political systems, social and historical circumstances. The capacities of women to influence the economic, social and political structures, mechanisms and visions of their contexts will provide a primary focus for analysis. The unit will revolve around the themes of legal status, access to and representation within judicial process, economic/ employment status and opportunities, respect, power, independence, freedom and gender definition.

Objectives

1. To enable students to use a variety of theoretical frameworks for the analysis of the roles and power of women within contemporary domestic and international political settings.
2. To enable students to use a variety of conceptual frameworks for the analysis of contemporary domestic and international political configuration in terms of their impact on the roles, status and power of women.
3. To develop students' capacities for oral and written discussion.
4. To develop students' expertise in using and integrating appropriate theoretical and methodological tools in analysing the roles of women in selected domestic political, social and economic institutions.

Assessment

Research essay (2500 words): 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

2 hours per week (1 hour lecture, 1 hour tutorial)

Prerequisites

HPL1503 and HPL1504 or equivalents

Prohibitions

GSC2505