1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Genders and Desires in Asia

Genders and Desires in Asia (ASIA20003)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2026 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - On Campus
FeesLook up fees

How are genders and desires imagined, performed, reproduced and contested in the diversity of societies and cultures of the Asian region? How does mobility and sociocultural change influence, or impact on everyday notions of gender within Asia, and in discourses about Asia? What is the influence of histories, religions, languages and media on gender and sexualities in the Asian region and Asian diasporas? This subject critically engages with gender and desire in relation to the Asian region by drawing on contemporary gender theories and a diversity of perspectives from the humanities and social sciences. Topics will cover the Asian region and diasporas, with a focus on languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Evaluate literature concerning gender in Asia
  • Articulate their findings and views in oral and written presentations
  • Understand major issues and sensitivities regarding gender in Asia
  • Engage where appropriate with issues to do with genders and desires in Asia
  • Engage where appropriate with issues to do with desires about Asia.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Understand the key concepts of interest to the subject
  • Develop knowledge with a range of theoretical approaches to understanding these concepts
  • Analyse the function of the key concepts of interest to the subject in different cultural settings and compare those with one’s own
  • Employ a variety of research tools and methodologies to gather evidences and formulate convincing arguments
  • Interact with peers in small, productive and collaborative learning environments
  • Enhance the ability to critically think and engage with the work of established scholars in relation to these concepts.

Last updated: 15 January 2026