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GSC2207/3207

Women's sociology

Marion Collis

8 points
* Equivalent to 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Gippsland/Distance
* Prerequisites second year: GSC1201, GSC1202 or equivalents
* Prerequisites third year: Gender studies major two of GSC2203, GSC2409, GSC2505, GSC2406

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should be able to critically examine the place of women in malestream sociological theory and the way in which sociology has constructed knowledge about women and develop for women analyses, descriptions and understandings of women's everyday lives using a feminist framework.

Synopsis Students will be introduced to feminist critiques of malestream sociological perspectives, their theoretical and conceptual frameworks and methods of inquiry, and to alternative feminist approaches to both theory and research which can inform a sociology for women. Issues of class, culture and race will also be considered. The second part of the subject will focus on doing a women's sociology and the application of a feminist perspective; for their individual studies students may choose from a wide range of issues relating to women's lives in contemporary Australia and are encouraged to further their understanding of their own experiences using a feminist framework.

Assessment second year Essay one (1800 words): 30%
* Seminar presentation or written seminar paper (2100 words): 35%
* Essay two (2100 words): 35%

Assessment third year Essay one (1800 words): 30%
* Seminar presentation or written seminar paper (2100 words): 35%
* Essay two (2100 words): 35%
* Students should demonstrate wider reading for all three pieces of assessment. The second requires a broader knowledge base and a more analytical approach than that set for second-level students.

Prescribed texts

Hughes K P (ed.) Contemporary Australian feminism Longman, 1994

Roberts H (ed.) Doing feminist research RKP, 1981

Sydie R Natural women cultured men: A feminist perspective on sociological theory Open UP, 1987


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Handbook Contents | Faculty Handbooks | Monash University
Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168
Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996