GEND 1106 - Introduction to Gender Studies

Gender is encountered in every aspect of our lives. It informs public debate, legislation, how much money we earn, who dies younger and our exposure to risk and sexual violence. The course is an introduction to gender studies and key theoretical frameworks that are fundamental to how we think about gender, sex and sexualities. We will examine different understandings of gender, exploring historical, contemporary and cross-cultural debates, and the politics surrounding gender relations, identities and (in)equities. The ways that ethnicity, racism, power and class influence and give meaning to gender debates in an Australian and international context will also be a central concern.