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Hidden Histories: Gender and Testimony (GEND20007)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2017
Overview
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This subject provides a general introduction to gender issues in relation to ideas about trauma and testimony. It is divided into two parts. The first part introduces students to different forms of gender related testimony through a series of topics including Archives, Art, Autobiography, Documentary, Histories, Legal Evidence, Museums, Monuments, and Photography. It involves considering material related to a number of historical events including the Holocaust and the Second Gulf War. Additionally it addresses themes such as herstory, masculinity, and sexuality. The second part, in the final four weeks, invites students to analyse a series of historical case studies for which a variety of ways of bearing witness exist and reflect on the appropriateness of these different media as forms of attestation to past events and also on the gender issues which are raised by these testimonies. The case studies are the life of Ned Kelly, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the persecution of the gay community in Nazi Germany, and the femicides of Cuidad Juárez. The subject will examine testimony as evidence about past events yet also push beyond such a conception addressing, for example, the phenomenological import some types of testimony can possess and also the possible cathartic potential of bearing witness to traumatic experiences. The subject is strongly informed by ideas from psychoanalysis and through close readings of key texts students will attain a basic grounding in major theories of testimony and trauma including those advanced by Cathy Caruth, Shoshana Felman, Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Julia Kristeva, Jacques Lacan, Dominick LaCapra, Dori Laub, and Hanna Segal. Students will therefore develop a critical vocabulary suitable for assessing diverse practices of gender-related memorialisation.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- the ability to communicate an understanding of key terms from theories of gender and testimony;
- the ability to demonstrate various ways in which ideas about gender theory can productively be employed in theorizing witnessing;
- the skills and confidence to take the initiative in relating theoretical ideas covered in the subject to cultural artefacts;
- learnt how to organize material into coherent and convincing arguments in their written work; and
- fostered close reading skills in relation to both texts and images.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- learn to be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;
- cultivate oral and written communication skills;
- develop an understanding of cultural and social contexts; and
- become skilled at managing time and resources effectively.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A research essay of 1,500 words (40%), due in week 6
- A weekly journal, equivalent to 2,500 words in total, (60%), due in the examination period
- Hurdle: This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2017
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A Subject Reader will be available.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 27 April 2024