Feminist Science and Technology Studies (GEND40009)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
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This subject focuses on the productive intersection between feminist and queer theories and Science, Technology, and Society (STS). Engagement with feminist and queer theories will deepen understanding of scientific research and knowledge production and will offer a critical understanding on how various conceptual, epistemological and ontological assumptions are produced and challenged. Feminist and queer theories will foreground how gender and other structures of inequalities such as race, class, sexuality, and ablebodiedness inform inquiry into any topic in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
The first part of the subject will focus on foundational texts that offer a critical analysis of binaries such as nature/culture, and subjectivity/objectivity. The second part of the subject will explore contemporary trends in feminist and queer STS such as decolonial feminist approach, new materialism, and critical posthumanism among others.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should have:
- A detailed knowledge and critical understanding of feminist & queer theories on science and technology
- The ability to apply high level analysis, conceptual sophistication and critical thinking in the field of feminist and queer theories on science and technology, having developed mastery over different approaches (feminist decolonial, new materialism, and critical posthumanism)
- The ability to apply critical skills and methods to analyse the contemporary issues related to science and technology across a wide range of cultural contexts and socio-political settings
- A firm grasp of national and international debates on science and technology and develop the ability to evaluate specific issues in contemporary societies from feminist, and queer perspectives.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Develop independent thought and arguments
- Be receptive of new ideas and opinions through class participation and discussions
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication through class participation, discussions and written assignments
- Show flexibility, tolerance and cooperation with people from diverse background
- Show time management and planning through organizing workloads for recommended reading and assessment requirements.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students should be admitted to either a Honours level, Coursework Masters or equivalent program
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Literature review
| Week 3 | 30% |
Research essay
| 3 Weeks after the end of teaching | 70% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
Not available in 2025
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) Course Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours) Course Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 4 March 2025