AMU2906 - Genders, sexualities and religions in Southeast Asia - 2017

This unit explores the intersections of genders, sexualities and religions within the political, social-cultural context of Southeast Asia. This focus is based on the premise that the impact of religions and by extension, ethnicities are significant to how genders and sexualities are understood and lived out in this region. Within the larger framework of Gender and Sexuality Studies, the privileging of contemporary debates, issues and concerns arising from this geographical region demonstrates realities that are situated and grounded. Within an inter-disciplinary framework, feminist and queer theories are critically applied to topics covered that include: pluralisms or fluidity of genders and sexualities in religion, narratives of becoming in the family, faith community and cyberspace, sexual citizenship in the national imaginary, construction of masculinities and femininities of those who inhabit border zones of being socially excluded/included, such as youth, migrants, sex workers and ascetics; and agency in revisiting the impasse of the universality versus cultural relativism of rights. The unit aims to enable students to reflexively engage with questions of identity, agency and praxis on the distinctiveness/'Asianness' of doing genders and sexualities in this region, and the value and limits of using an intersectional analysis on genders, sexualities and religions.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1. Identify key issues of genders, sexualities and religions in the context of Southeast Asia;
2. Discuss the intersection of genders, sexualities and religions specific to the context of Southeast Asia;
3. Construct a framework of analysis that involves identifying a research topic, literature review, key concepts as theoretical tools and media texts (for textual analysis);
4. Analyse media texts based on key concepts or ideas learned;
5. Generate research findings that are well supported by primary and secondary sources and references;
6. Formulate arguments that demonstrate a clear understanding of how integral it is to negotiate genders, sexualities with religions in the context of Southeast Asia;
7. Communicate perceptively, effectively and with cultural sensitivity and develop collaborative skills;
8. Demonstrate ethical values, cross-cultural competency as a responsible and effective global citizen.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Associate Professor Sharon A Bong

Gender studies

Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units.

ATS2906