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Sexualities in Technoscience (GEND20010)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores how sex, gender and sexuality are entangled with science and technology. How are our understandings of sex and sexuality informed by a history of scientific investigation? How do gender and location shape the production of scientific knowledge? How is science mobilised in claims that binary sex and gender have a natural and biological basis? And how can we use science and technology in the pursuit of feminist and queer goals? This subject examines these questions from the perspective of feminist, queer and decolonial theories of science and technology. Introducing students to the rich interdisciplinary field of feminist and queer technoscience, the subject offers a critical inquiry into the scientific construction of sexuality, and the history of scholarly efforts to challenge the nature/culture binary and rethink our beliefs in science as objective and value-free. Key topics include: feminist objectivity; the false binary of nature vs nurture; the construction of biological sex; postcolonial science studies; reproductive technologies; and feminist and queer interfaces with biomedicalisation.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Show a broad understanding of theoretical trajectories related to the study of sexuality and science in Gender Studies
- Apply critical skills and methods to analyse contemporary issues related to gender, sexuality and science across a wide range of cultural contexts and socio-political settings
- Demonstrate a developing capacity to critically evaluate arguments concerning sexuality, biology, nature and the origins of gendered difference from feminist, queer, trans, and decolonial perspectives
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Develop independent thought and arguments
- Develop capacities for interdisciplinary thinking
- Develop effective written and oral communication skills
- Develop skills of critical thinking and analysis
- Develop flexibility, cooperation and collaboration skills by working with others
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Reflective essay
| Mid semester | 35% |
Short research proposal
| Mid semester | 15% |
Research essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of (or at least) 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures, in person or via online delivery. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. (Complete not less than 50% of word count) | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Jaya Keaney Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A total of 30 hours: A 1.5 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A selection of articles will be made available
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024