HPL2505 - Courtesans, concubines and conquest

Leader(s): Dr Beth Edmondson

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit examines the changing nature of roles and identities of women in a variety of social and political contexts, drawing upon diverse historical and contemporary political settings. It explores the relationship between status and power and focuses on the capacities of women to influence the economic, social and political structures, mechanisms and visions of their contexts. Key themes include the importance of women's political status, their access to political representation and participation in judicial processes. These themes underpin analysis of economic/ employment status and opportunities, respect, power, independence, freedom and gender definition.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate familiarity with a variety of conceptual frameworks for analyzing women's roles and political status in a range of historical and contemporary political settings;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of political representation and status as a key component of political and economic power in a range of contemporary political settings;
3. identify key factors in changing social and political relations and outline their significance for changing the roles and status of women;
4. demonstrate familiarity with key debates concerning women's status and power in selected historical and contemporary settings.

Assessment

Written work: 60%
2 hour exam: 40%

Contact hours

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

Prerequisites

HPL1503 and HPL1504 or equivalents

Prohibitions

GSC2505, HPL3505