Bachelor of Arts (Gender Studies)

Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary major which provides a strong emphasis on what has traditionally been described as Women’s Studies.  This focus needs to be retained in the so-called post-feminist age, with its increasingly sophisticated and pervasive attempts to persuade the consumer/reader/viewer that gender equity is finally here, and belief systems are merely are matter of choice. One of the tasks of this major is to address and redress this notion.  At the same time - as its name indicates - subjects in the major increasingly attempt to deal not only with the impact of being gendered as female, but also with definitions of masculinity and queer theory.

In this major, the construction of gender is viewed from a variety of academic perspectives: literary, historical, sociological, and legal; and deals with a range of associated cultural issues: eg. race, ethnicity, class, and the family.

The major recognises that students come from a range of backgrounds and may want to study over a range of areas. Accordingly, the major is made up of subjects from the faculties of Arts, Commerce, Education, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Law and Science.

Major Study

A major in Gender Studies consists of at least 54 credit points chosen from the following range of subjects (at least 24 credit points must be at 300-level). Students will choose at least five subjects from the list of Specialist Electives, and no more than two from the list of General Electives.  Normal pre-requisites apply for the following subjects unless these are waived by the Head of Unit.  This applies, in particular, to LAW subjects, for which LAW100 Law in Society is a necessary pre-requisite and will not be waived.  Please note: not all subjects will be available in any one year.

Minor Study

A minor in Gender Studies will consist of at least 28 credit points of subjects from the Course Structure of the Gender Studies major including not more than two subjects at 100-level.  At least three of the subjects must be from the list of Specialist Electives. Students may not cross-count any subjects from the minor in any other minor or major study.

Study Program