WMN3150 - Rethinking Global Culture: Sex, Race, Consumption

Leader: Maryanne Dever

Offered

Malaysia Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces the complex relationships between sex, race, and contemporary western consumer practices. Using theoretical perspectives from such critics as Anne McClintock, Stuart Hall, and bell hooks, the unit considers the politics of sex and race within the lived experiences of imperialism and globalisation. Designed to be interdisciplinary, the unit incorporates historical, political, literary and filmic perspectives. Areas for examination include advertising, media, travel and tourism, fashion, foreign aid and child sponsorship programs, 'world literature', and transnational labour movements.

Objectives

Students successfully completing this unit at 3rd yr level will have gained

1. a foundational understanding of feminist debates in the area of postcolonialism, cross-cultural consumption and sexed and raced identities;
2. a detailed understanding of the historical links between imperialism and globalization and an interdisciplinary grasp of the central debates and issues in relations to questions of sex and race in the domains of imperialism and globalisation;
3. skills in the critical analysis of popular discourses, such as advertising, news production and other media and popular cultural forms;
4. advanced skills in textual analysis and in the development of argument, both orally and in writing;
5. enhanced skills in the formulating, conducting and presenting of individual research projects.

Assessment

Website analysis (1500words) 30%; Research project (2700 words) 60%; Class participation (equivalent to 300 words) 10%
Additional comment: Students at level 3 will be expected to demonstrate greater capacity for independent research and will be required to develop research projects of a more conceptually challenging nature.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

A first year sequence

Prohibitions

WMN2150