Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

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Unit Overview

Description

This unit examines the diversity of social relations between men and women in contemporary Asia. Students explore the links between gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity and national identities, and evaluate how the processes of development and globalisation shape gender relations in Asia. Key themes are power, resistance and the agency of women, and students study theories of power, resistance and agency. Feminist theories underlie the unit and students learn about women's movements in Asia. Students carry out research on topics such as women's movements, emergent sexual identities, industrialisation, family, courtship and marriage, gender and religion, migration for work and marriage, sex work, health care and contraception.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2025Hong KongFace to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 option in the Asian Studies; Human Rights major sequences
  • Level 3 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) understand that gender and gender relations are a social construction; (2) analyse the ways Asian societies are gendered, the relationships between gender and power, and hierarchies of femininities and masculinities; (3) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories of power, resistance and agency; (4) demonstrate how people are shaped by gender ideologies (e.g. state and religious gender ideologies), as well as able to exercise agency according to their gender and culture; (5) analyse how gender operates in different contexts (e.g. in marriage, in work places, in migration) and in concert with other social principles such as class, nationality and ethnicity; (6) demonstrate knowledge of women's movements in Asia and their links to feminist activism; (7) evaluate the relevance of and problems associated with feminist theories when applied to Asian contexts; and (8) conceptualise a research question or problem, develop research skills and communicate their critical thoughts and findings in well-developed arguments, both oral and written and demonstrate that they can work productively in a team.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation; (2) written work; and (3) group project. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit rules
Prerequisites
any Level 2 ASIA unit
or a Level 2 GEND unit
or a Level 2 ANTH unit
Incompatibility
ASIA2208 Gender Relations in Asia
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.