This course focuses on how and why sex, sexuality and feminism have gone public in the last few decades in the west: in the proliferation of sex talk on 1-800 telephone lines, on talk shows, internet pornography, the rise of raunch culture in the late 1990s, prostitution, children and sexuality, HIV, and its dominant presence in popular culture, media and the public sphere. What are the effects of the discourses of sex, sexuality and feminism going public? Is sex empowering or disempowering? What do feminists think about this current condition? Our readings will begin from second wave feminism and other counter-cultural events in the late 1960s onwards. We will trace their influences on postfeminists and third wave feminists and follow the continuing debates. Some of the topics the course might cover include pornography, representation, reproduction (abortion), the linkages between race/sex/gender/class, queer sexuality, sexual practices, sexual harassment, child sexuality, sex work, the global sex trade and issues of intimacy.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
By the end of the course, students should also have- a firm grasp and understanding of the feminist debates and discourses that inform current representations of public sex, and discursive sex/ual practices.
- They would also have learnt some theoretical tools for analysis,
- developed critical thinking and
- improve information literacy and written and oral expression.
Indicative Assessment
Two written assignments - one mid term and one final paper, totalling 4,000 words (70%, addresses all LOs above)
A ten minute joint presentation (10%) and a 500-word written summary of one of the readings (10%) to be submitted before the presentation begins (address all LOs above)
Tutorial participation (10%, addresses LO 3, 4)The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
In-class time includes ten 1.5 hour lectures, three 2-hr lecture/film screenings and twelve 1-hr tutorials for a thirteen week course. Preparatory time for the weekly readings would take another 3 hours per week.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
McNair, Brian (2002) Striptease Culture: Sex, Media and the Democratization of Desire, London: Routledge; Echols, Alice (2002) Shaky ground: the '60s and its aftershocks, New York: Columbia University Press; Seidman, Steven (1992) Embattled Eros: Sexual Politics & Ethics in Contemporary America, New York: Routledge; Siegel, Deborah (2007) Sisterhood, Interrupted: From Radical Women to Grrrls Gone Wild, New York: Palgrave Macmillan; Levy, Ariel (2005) Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture, Melbourne: Schwartz.
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2604 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3576 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4701 | 15 Feb 2016 | 26 Feb 2016 | 31 Mar 2016 | 27 May 2016 | In Person | N/A |
