GCST4212: Semester 1, 2023

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Units GCST4212 Semester 1 2023 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

GCST4212: Sexuality, Gender and Social Relations

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

In this unit, we take the categories of 'sexuality' and 'gender' as foundational to social relations organised under the conditions of colonialism and neoliberalism. Across different contexts, we explore historical 'events' and everyday practices relating to 'gender' and 'sexuality' to unravel how these categories are involved in the maintenance of living and how they create meanings by which people understand themselves andothers. Drawing on critical queer studies and Indigenous studies, we cover topics on de/colonial gender and sexuality, social reproduction, racialised trans, lesbian and gay lives and futurity to radically re-imagine new sexuality and gender relations and politics.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	GCST4212
Academic unit	Gender and Cultural Studies
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shawna Tang, shawna.tang@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Small Refections Choose three topics discussed across the semester to reflect on.	30%	Multiple weeks	3x700 word reflections
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Reading presentation Present readings for assigned week and lead seminar discussions in a group.	30%	Ongoing	20 minutes (2000-word equivalent).
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation Attendance and in-class participation.	10%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Poster vision Create a poster presentation and "artist" statement	30%	Week 10	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Group Presentation (30%). Student group will be leading the seminar to discuss the readings.

Small Reflections (30%). Individual work. Students will choose three topics discussed across the semester to reflect on.

Poster Vision (30%). Individual work. Students will create a poster presentation and an "artist" statement.

Participation (10%). Students will attend and participate in classes.

Assessment criteria

Group Presentation (30%) - Present readings for assigned week and lead seminar discussions. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Small Reflections (30%) - Choose three topics discussed across the semester to reflect on. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Poster Vision (30%) - Create a poster presentation and "artist" statement. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with Faculty guidelines.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is Cultural Studies?	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	The hu(Man)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	The Black Woman	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	De/colonial Man and Woman	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Indigenous queerness	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	White lesbians and gay men	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	The Female Migrant	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Transgender personhood	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Theorising sexuality and gender politics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Theorising anti-neoliberal politics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Poster vision: reimagining new sexuality and gender relations and politics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Poster vision: reimagining new sexuality and gender relations and politics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Poster vision: reimagining new sexuality and gender relations and politics	Workshop (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Reading list is available on the unit's Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the analytic ‘sexuality’ and ‘gender’, drawing on critical theories and methodologies.
LO2. Demonstrate strong knowledge of critical theories and methodologies that have been used to apprehend complex social and cultural realities.
LO3. Confidently apply knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches to real-world concerns.
LO4. Produce critically reflexive responses to address complex real events.
LO5. Critically reflect on the challenges and possibilities of the conditions of everyday living.
LO6. Develop an ethics of care and social responsibility to marginalised communities.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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