This course will introduce students to approaches to Gender Studies by focusing on the interpretation and contextualisation of various forms of text. Written texts (historical as well as contemporary ones), oral self-narration, visual texts and other sources will be critically discussed and given meaning by looking at the gendered nature of interpretation and expression. Assigned texts and topics will vary from year to year reflecting staff research interests.

10 x 2 hour seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

None.

None.

Essay (3500 words) - 70%

Blog post (1000 words) - 30%

This course aims to:

■ Provide an introduction to key themes, theories, and methodologies in gender studies

■ Offer students a range of methods, tools and techniques for the interpretation and contextualisation of 'texts', broadly understood to include not only written sources, but also audio-visual and material sources

■ Make use of collections based in local museums, archives and libraries, and introduce students to the skills and understanding needed for a critical engagement with cultural texts and sources

■ Provide opportunities to enhance team working and editorial skills through the development of a course blog

■ Enable students to apply their understanding of gender studies from this course to their own area of expertise, be it history, languages, cinema, literature, art, social science, media

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically  assess key approaches in Gender Studies and/or feminist theories from an interdisciplinary perspective

■ Analyse and interpret written, oral and/or visual texts using a gendered understanding of the socio-cultural world

■ Identify topics, questions and sources of both academic and general interest

■ Effectively communicate insights gained on the course to both an academic and a general audience, using an appropriate format.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.