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.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit examines the history and philosophy of feminism, from its emergence in eighteenth-century liberal humanism to the present. Students read key texts by protofeminist or feminist writers from a range of disciplines, such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir, Mary Daly, Audre Lorde, the French feminists, Alice Walker, Donna Haraway, and Gloria Anzaldua. Through this interdisciplinary survey, students critically evaluate the multiple strands of feminist thought, including liberal, radical, socialist, psychoanalytic, ecological, postcolonial, postmodern and post-feminist. Students undertake 'slow readings' of the key texts, with certain activities and assessments foregrounding affective or 'feelingful' responses which are explored prior to critical and analytical exploration of the texts. This work of 'slow reading' is linked to a methodological focus on (1) the role of affect in knowledge production; and (2) the importance of listening in fostering transformative cultural change. As a Category A Broadening unit and also a level 3 core unit for students undertaking the gender studies major, the unit also provides an opportunity for students with differing levels of knowledge about feminism to engage in respectful and constructive discussion of the issues, in a way that mirrors the dynamics of many feminist interventions in the world beyond university.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Gender Studies; Human Rights major sequences
- Level 3 option in the History major sequence
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the major political, social and philosophical issues analysed by feminists; (2) apply a historicised understanding of theorisations of gender; (3) evaluate a range of feminist positions (e.g. liberal, radical, socialist, postmodern) and their associated readings of gender and sexual difference; (4) critically analyse the major political, social and philosophical issues analysed by feminists; (5) critically reflect on unconscious bias; and (6) apply written and oral communication strategies for negotiating gender and difference.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) dialogic engagement; (2) reflective journals; and (3) research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Chantal Bourgault du Coudray
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
- 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.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.