Gender and Contemporary Culture (CULS20017)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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What is the relationship between gender and culture in everyday life? Why are some forms of gender more culturally privileged than others? How do gender norms take shape and gain dominance in contemporary culture? This subject explores key sites through which gender identities emerge, become dominant, and/or transform. Through these cultural sites this subject examines hegemonic ideologies around gender, the uneven value placed on certain gendered subject positions, and possibilities for resistance in relation to femininities, masculinities, and other gender formations.

Sites include areas of concern to feminist cultural studies including digital culture, popular media, youth cultures, celebrity and fandom, sport, fitness and self-discipline regimes, beauty culture and more. Core to this exploration are issues of location, race, whiteness, and nation, which inform hegemonic ideals and lived experiences of gendered life. Beyond simply understanding how identities are transforming in a highly mediated and globalised context, this subject seeks to critically engage with questions of injustice and inequality in relation to gendered cultures.

Intended learning outcomes

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

  • Analyse key sites through which gender identities emerge
  • Build methodological capacity and theoretical competency in Cultural Studies and develop the ability to communicate the ways in which understanding gender can contribute to theorising culture
  • Make use of flexible reading strategies and writing practices in analysing the relationship between gender and culture, while also recognising the value of interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge and its significance in Cultural Studies
  • Formulate a high-level critical analysis of the relationships between gender and culture in Cultural Studies
  • Engage with the question of how location, race, whiteness, and nation inform hegemonic ideals and lived experiences of gendered life
  • Develop a mastery of relevant research skills including use of the library, e-research skills, and appropriate referencing and presentation of written work with attention to intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

  • Have advanced research and analysis skills
  • Show critical and ethical self-awareness
  • Have the ability to develop and communicate effective arguments in both oral and written form
  • Develop advanced skills in media and information literacy and management.

Last updated: 11 April 2025

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: 11 April 2025

Assessment

Semester 2

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Reflective piece

  • 1000 words
Week 535%

Essay Plan

  • 500 words
Week 1115%

Research essay

  • 2500 words
During the examination period50%
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 periodN/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 semesterN/A

Last updated: 11 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorElena Benthaus
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal 30 hours, 1.5 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial per week.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    elena.benthaus@unimelb.edu.au

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: 11 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 11 April 2025