Outline

Overview

This unit examines theories of consumption in regards to cultural and media products and practices, with a specific focus on gender. Drawing upon a wide range of feminist media and cultural theories, we will critically analyse different forms of belonging and identity that are created through these practices. We will also pay close attention to the critiques of globalisation and consumption, theories of the 'citizen consumer' and the realities of geo-political and economic inequalities that underpin many forms of consumption.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Gender and Cultural Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Anthea Taylor, anthea.taylor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Anthea Taylor, anthea.taylor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jia Guo, jia.guo@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Yijia Du, yijia.du@sydney.edu.au
	Meihua Lu, meihua.lu@sydney.edu.au
	Tay Blunt, timothy.blunt@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Final exam, 1 hour duration.	30%	Formal exam period	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	In-class exam (advertising analysis) In class exam.	30%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 10:00	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research essay proposal Proposal	10%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Apr 2026 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research essay Essay	30%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

In class exam (Week 7): During this exam, students will analyse the gendered meanings of an advertisement, drawing on ideas from course readings in Weeks 2-6.
Research essay proposal: This 500 word proposal gives a plan for the final essay and provides students with an opportunity to test their ideas and get feedback. The proposal states the working thesis (central argument) of the paper as well as theoretical approach(es) and methodology to be used. It also gives summaries of three external academic sources, and discusses how they will be used to support and develop the argument.
Research essay (2000 words): This paper involves building a complex understanding of a particular aspect of gender and the media covered in the unit. You will apply concepts from the course to case studies of media products/texts/experiences and the practices through which they are consumed. This essay should use relevant scholarly material to examine the ideological dimensions of how a particular brand, product, star or media text is produced and consumed.
Final exam (Stuvac): This 1 hour exam will consist of short answer questions, focused on applying concepts covered during the course to a specific media form or cultural practice.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Students in this range will have exhibited a sophisticated understanding of issues relating to gender, media and consumption, demonstrating a high-level understanding and use of relevant concepts and theoretical frameworks. Written work will be of exceptional quality, in terms of expression and structure, will be highly aligned with the unit aims, and will offer original, persuasive insights into the areas covered.
Distinction	75 - 84	Students who achieve this grade will have demonstrated a deep engagement with the key issues and debates covered in the course, with very high quality written work, in terms of structure, style and content, that aligns with the unit aims.
Credit	65 - 74	Students in this range will have exhibited a good grasp of the key issues covered in the course, generally aligned with the course aims, and written work will be of good quality but with some room for improvement in terms of content, style and and structure and some deeper critical thinking.
Pass	50 - 64	Students will have exhibited a basic understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks canvassed in the course. Written work may have aligned somewhat with the unit aims, but there may be issues with expression, structure, augmentation and evidence.
Fail	0 - 49	Students in this range will not have met the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Intersectionality in/and feminist media analysis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Intersectionality in/and feminist media analysis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Postfeminism and femininities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Postfeminism and femininities	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Masculinities and advertising	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Masculinities and advertising	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	"Femvertising"	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	"Femvertising"	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Digital self-branding	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Digital self-branding	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Exam Q&A	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	In class exam	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Queer cultures and television	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Queer cultures and television	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Gendering reality TV	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Gendering reality TV	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Fandoms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Fandoms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Celebrity feminisms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Celebrity feminisms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Feminist networked activisms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Feminist networked activisms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion/course wrap up	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion/course wrap up	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

The full reading list is available via the unit 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. Develop critical and creative approaches for understanding media consumption both as a theoretical concept and as lived practice in various cultural contexts.
LO2. Critically examine various media forms and practices in terms of how they shape understandings of gender in culturally specific ways.
LO3. Apply relevant cultural theories about gender, media and consumption and relate them to those of transnationalism, identity and difference
LO4. Discuss how changes in media, especially in light of technological developments, have changed the nature of both production and consumption.
LO5. Evaluate how audiences actively make meaning of various media texts and understand media and popular culture as sites of contestation in terms of gender
LO6. Analyse media representations of gender through an intersectional lens.
LO7. Explain the various methods that can be used to analyse gender, media and consumption

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.

Some case studies and readings have been updated to take account of developments in the field.

Additional information

The key contact for this unit is Dr Jia Guo (jia.guo@sydney.edu.au).

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WMST6903: Gender, Media and Consumer Societies

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links