Gender, Community and Social Change

Unit code: ACW3028 | Study level: Undergraduate
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Footscray Park
Online Real Time
N/A
Overview
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Overview

This unit explores topics and approaches to understand social and cultural transformation utilising gender analysis discourse, a community focus and ideas about social change Designed primarily for students undertaking the Gender Studies minor in Arts and the Food Technology specialisation in Education, this unit takes a global to local focus on key issues in gender equality and equity; food security and consumerism; sustainable households and communities; as well as sexualities, wellbeing, inclusion and belonging. As the interest is in change, current debates around empowerment, agency, transformation, mobilisation, collective action, engagement, and ideas of interconnection and belonging are explored. The unit explores the future of gender and community-based activism and political action in the context of new social spaces. Students are introduced to practical activist-based approaches, filtered through a gendered lens.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: Articulate the intersectionality of gender, sexualities, race, class, abilities and related categories of difference in the context of social action and change;
  2. Exhibit an understanding of the dynamics of social movements and organising action for social change;
  3. Apply, identify and articulate feminist approaches to inequality, oppression and change;
  4. Examine and respond to contemporary debates by engaging with activist-based approaches and organising for change at a local to global level;
  5. Analyse and apply critical thinking to issues of inequality and social and political change and transformation

Study as a single unit

This unit can be studied on its own, without enrolling in a full degree.

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Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Exercise
|
Grade: 25%
Media analysis
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 30%
Group presentation on current social and political change action
Assessment type: Project
|
Grade: 35%
Campaign plan and report
Assessment type: Exercise
|
Grade: 10%
In class debate in philosophical question format

Required reading

This unit utilises a range of selected readings relevant to the field of gender and social transformation, feminist political action and activism, and other associated themes. These can be located via VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.

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