This course investigates how gender and culture underpin everyday power in Asia and the Pacific. Students will be introduced to key interdisciplinary tools and approaches from the field of gender and cultural studies. Considering how these ideas have been theorised in Asian and Pacific contexts as well as in Western ones, the course engages in debates about feminism, imperialism and decolonisation, systems of gendered violence, same-sex sexualities, changing masculinities, and cross-cultural encounters. The course investigates how gender and culture inform the soft power strategies of national governments, the political and social norms underpinning health and medicine, and the ways Asian and Pacific societies face and respond to environmental crisis. A distinctive feature of this course is that students are asked to apply their conceptual understandings of gender and cultural studies in innovative ways through multimedia projects (no prior experience needed). Through analytical, practice-based and creative assessments, students will gain crucial tools to engage with the politics of everyday life in Asia and the Pacific. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify and evaluate interdisciplinary theories and approaches in gender and cultural studies;
2. Apply the conceptual vocabulary of gender and cultural studies to analyse critical issues in Asia and the Pacific;
3. Reflect on the cross-cultural processes and interdisciplinary approaches through which current knowledge about gender and culture in Asia and the Pacific has developed;
4. Communicate complex ideas in writing, speech, and multimedia, justifying methods and approaches as appropriate;
5. Reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in the study of gender and culture in Asia and the Pacific.

Research-Led Teaching

This course incorporates ANU scholarship in gender and cultural studies, including new work on sexual violation, gender and religion, cultural politics, climate change, embodied knowledge, and gender and politics.

Field Trips

One field trip to a museum or gallery as conditions permit; details TBA.

Additional Course Costs

Public/private transportation for a local field trip. You will also need to pay the subscription cost for 1-2 months of Marvel Pro, which is the internet platform we use to create and download one assessment. One month of Marvel Pro currently costs $12 and it is expected that you can share this cost across a group of 3, so you should plan on a cost of approximately $8.

Required Resources

Required resources will be available on Wattle, the ANU library, or through internet platforms. You will need to bring a device with an internet connection to class.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

This integrated seminar of lectures, discussions, and workshops will be offered in a remote mode to ensure that students can participate in this class no matter where they are located. Opportunities for face to face small groups will be offered as well, depending on student interest and public health regulations.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1: Gender and Cultural Studies	This week we will introduce ourselves and learn more about what you will do in this course. Then we will dive into the question of "gender studies" and "cultural studies." How did gender become something that could be studied and theorised at a university? What is cultural studies, and what makes it different from other disciplines that deal with "culture," such as anthropology, literature, or art history? How have gender and culture been important to different political movements in Asia and the Pacific?
2	Week 2: Truth, Power and Knowledge	This week we examine influential theorists who underpin the fields of gender and cultural studies: they are thinkers who invite us to understand how gender and culture are connected to questions of power.
3	Week 3: Gender and Ideology	This section explores how ideas about appropriate gender norms gain force in shaping everyday lives, creating what we think of as "ideologies." We examine a range of important ideologies to explore how they link gendered experiences to political, religious, and social frameworks of power.
4	Week 4: Feminism and its Discontents	What does it mean to be a feminist? Is feminism a Western construct? This week we explore diverse ways in which feminism can be defined and redefined in different parts of Asia and the Pacific, and we ask what kinds of theoretical perspectives might best account for this diversity.
5	Week 5: Embodiment, Sexuality, and Masculinity	In this week we explore how different ideas of embodiment, including sexuality and masculinity, have changed over time in Asia and the Pacific and shaped by diverse public cultures. How do these formations respond to global trends, and how do they challenge Western assumptions?
6	Week 6: Sexual Violation	This week we examine sexual violations in Asia and the Pacific. What are the structural conditions that lead to gendered violations in different parts of the region? What are the conditions under which people can speak about such violations?
7	Week 7: Museums and Heritage Studies	Field Excursion This week we will explore a museums or gallery (details depend on local conditions, exact destination TBA). What are the politics of knowledge that shape museums? What kind of relationship between Australia and Asia and the Pacific is produced through exhibitions? How are you positioned differently in a museum than you are in the classroom?
8	Week 8: Orientalism and Beyond	Edward Said's theory of Orientalism revolutionized the Western study of Asia and the Pacific through a new lens. In this week we explore Said's key ideas, the widespread use of his paradigm, and investigate how contemporary culture may complicate some of the assumptions behind Orientalism.
9	Week 9: Popular Culture and Soft Power	What is popular culture and why should we study it? We investigate the diverse kinds of power that circulate through popular culture, exploring both its liberating and repressive potential. We seek to understand how states have tried to harness the energies of popular culture for their own purposes.
10	Week 10: Gender and Politics	How does gender shape political participation, opportunities for leadership, and international order? This week we evaluate how participation in such political activity can potentially reaffirm, disrupt, or reconfigure gender roles in many aspects of society and culture. What are the prospects for women, queer communities, and marginalised gender minorities to express a political voice in Asia and the Pacific today?
11	Week 11: Gender, Culture, and the Environment	Climate change and environmental destruction disproportionately affect women in many parts of Asia and the Pacific. This week we examine how and why cultural norms around gender play a role in the politics of the environment.
12	Week 12: Cultures, Gender and Health	How does understanding gender and culture save lives? In this final week, we explore how a nuanced understanding of gender and culture might change the way we approach issues such as health and wellbeing. How might the perspectives that you have gained in this course help us understand practical problems in the world around us?

Tutorial Registration

This class will offer two seminar streams, one in person and one on Zoom.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Seminar Participation	10 %	*	15/11/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6
Research Essay	30 %	18/08/2022	31/08/2022	2,3,4,5
Group Project: Smartphone Application Prototype (no coding required)	25 %	20/10/2022	07/11/2022	2,3,4,5
Reflective Essay	25 %	27/10/2022	07/11/2022	2,4,5,6
Digital Learning Journal	10 %	*	15/11/2022	1,2,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation includes the following activities in live seminars: 1) demonstrating consistently that you have read and thought about the course readings or other preparatory materials for the week; 2) engaging in oral and written tasks during the seminar; 3) working independently and collaboratively with your peers in workshop activities; and 4) demonstrating intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking, and the ability to build on the ideas of your peers in small group and full class discussions. Details will be available on Wattle. A hurdle requirement to be awarded your full participation mark is the final seminar meeting, where groups will share their final projects with the class.

Examination(s)

There is no examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Seminar Participation

Participation includes the following activities in live seminars: 1) demonstrating consistently that you have read and thought about the course readings or other preparatory materials for the week; 2) engaging in oral and written tasks during the seminar; 3) working independently and collaboratively with your peers during workshop activities; and 4) demonstrating intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking, and the ability to build on the ideas of your peers in small group and full class discussions. Details will be available on Wattle. A hurdle requirement to be awarded your full participation mark is the final seminar meeting, where groups will share their final projects with the class.

Assessment Task 2

Research Essay

You will research and write a 2000-word analytical essay on a question and area relevant to the course. Detailed instructions will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Group Project: Smartphone Application Prototype (no coding required)

In small groups, you will design a prototype of a digital smartphone application that uses the critical principles of gender and cultural studies to engage your audience in a specific issue that affects Asia and the Pacific. No coding skills are required and no prior experience is needed. Details will be available on Wattle. This assessment will include a hurdle component, a collaborative site where each member uploads research material and shares ideas. Meeting this hurdle component means that you can be awarded your full group mark. At the end of the project, you will have a downloadable working prototype of your application.

Assessment Task 4

Reflective Essay

You will write a 1500-word individual reflective essay on your group prototype that explains the central argument of your prototype, shows how your prototype draws upon independent research and ideas from this course, and sets out how you have developed new skills in group collaboration. Details will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 5

Digital Learning Journal

You will contribute to an ongoing digital learning journal where you give evidence of how you are consistently listening to and engaging with the ideas you encounter in lectures and readings throughout the semester. You will complete entries in this digital learning journal through online activities that will be embedded in lecture recordings. Details will be available on Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students