Course syllabus

 

 

SEMESTER 2, 2019

15 points

 

Well-Being Always Comes First We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there. For more information, look at this Canvas page, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

 

Summary of Course Description

Gender and Sexuality have been a dynamic field of anthropological inquiry for almost half a century, during which ethnographic and theoretical approaches have continued to develop.

The course considers issues such as how different peoples exhibit and conceptualize gender differences; how sexuality is conceived in different places and historical periods; the ways in which gender is simultaneously a social and cultural product and a force in shaping social and cultural phenomena; and how anthropologists have studied these issues at global, national and local scales.

This course covers some of the many anthropological questions about gender and sexuality in human societies through cross-cultural and temporal perspectives. It takes a culturally relativist position and you are expected to do likewise. The focus is on anthropological understanding of embodied, social, cultural and political phenomenon and on engaging our assumptions about things we take for granted, wherever we find ourselves on the gender (or gender politics) spectrum.

By the end of the course, you should:

• Understand sex, sexuality and gender as social and cultural phenomena
• Recognize the embeddedness of gender in wider community, national and global structures and relationships
• Understand the topics covered in cross-cultural and historical perspective
• Be able to think reflexively about your own gender position, identity and situation
• Understand a range of anthropological perspectives on gender and sexuality
  
  

Teacher:

Dr Alex Pavlotski:

HSB 810
alex.pavlotski@auckland.ac.nz
+64 9 923 4652
Consultation time:

Course Co-ordinator:

Dr Phyllis Herda

HSB 848
p.herda@auckland.ac.nz
+64 9 923 7111
Consultation time: Thursdays 1:30-3:00

Course Delivery

Two Hour Lecture
Date/Time: Wednesday, 12 - 2pm
Location: (Northey, Law Buildings) 801 - 204
One Hour Tutorial
Date/Time: Friday, 12 - 1pm
Location: (Arts Building 1) 206 - 209

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

Assessment Summary

 

Reflexive Essay (20%)
Gender is seeped into our everyday lives. In this essay you will be asked to select and analyse a material marker of gender that you interact with regularly and anthropologically reflect on its social and personal meaning.  

Case Study Review (35%)
A case study can be a place, a cultural group, a symbolic object, an element of history, a practice or an event. You will pick a case study that you think offers some manner of insight about the way people construct their understandings of sexuality and/or gender. Introduce and describe your case study, and then explain how it might be relevant to anthropological understanding of gender and sexuality.

Research Essay (40%)
You will write a research essay on the topic of gender and anthropology. The question will be broad and address a major course theme. This theme is to be considered in relation to a particular case study, it must involve (a minimum of) two theoretical perspectives and must consider the case study in a cross cultural way.

Participation (5%)
Participation will be assessed on engagement with Canvas (yes, we can see that data), tutorial discussion and engagement, and timely assessment submissions and the level of communication with teacher (consultation, updates and email contact).
---

Extensions can be secured with good reason and/or medical documentation. If you feel like circumstances are getting in the way of coursework come and have a chat. Good planning is appreciated. Last second extensions without documentation will not be given.

A late penalty of 3% per day will be applied to all submissions handed in after the due date without approved extensions.

All assessments are to be submitted via turnitin.

Weekly Topics

Week One: Introductions and The Anthropology of Love
Week Two: Anthropology Does Gender (Guest: Dr Phyllis Herda)
Week Three: Talking to our Cousins and the Confused Species (Guest: Dr Nicholas Malone)
Week Four: Marriage of All Shapes and Sizes
Week Five: Ethnocentrism and Confusion
Week Six: Understanding Gender Liminality in Polynesia (Guest: Dr Phyllis Herda)
Week Seven: Parenthood - Motherhood (Guest: Dr Christine Dureau)
Week Eight: Power and Agency
Week Nine: (Guest: Dr Mark Busse)
Week Ten: Masculinities 
Week Eleven: Study Session 
Week Twelve: Closing

 

Discussion and Decorum:
This is a course about sex which can be a difficult topic to talk about sensitively and meaningfully.  However, we believe that speaking and listening to others is an important part of learning, so we will encourage discussion and expect participation. In order to ensure that people can do so comfortably and are protected from harm we will develop some shared expectations and guidelines at the beginning of semester. These guidelines are intended to create a safe environment so that everyone can engage and participate.  

My expectation is that in class we will each think, discuss and debate as anthropologists. That is, we use concepts that are scholarly, are conscious of the language we use, as well as the way that our personal values and experiences are reflected in our views. Please be careful and sensitive when you talk about sexuality, sexual interests, sexual practices, race, gender, class, faith etc. Avoid inflammatory or exclusionary language.  We reserve the right to ask you to reframe or refrain if, in my opinion, your contribution does not meet these criteria.  

Sex Matters Coming Up?

Courses like these can raise issues that we have been avoiding or did not know were there. If you find yourself in a difficult or uncomfortable position a good place to start looking for support is the University Health and Counselling service [auckland.ac.nz/counselling] which provides counselling on a wide range of issues including gender and sexual related matters. Services are free (for Uof A students), confidential and professional. Other sources of support include: 

 

Rainbow Youth                                                                       (09) 376-4155

                                                                                                          ry.org.nz

TransGender Bridge                                                             0800 TG HELP 

                                                                                                          genderbridge.org

Auckland Women’s Centre                                               (09) 376 3227

                                                                                                           awc.org.nz

Family Planning                                                                       familyplanning.org.nz

Rape Crisis                                                                                  0800 883300

Shine* (violence in relationships)                                   0508 744 633

 

Shakti(refuge for Asian, African, Middle Eastern women & children)               

                                                                                                            0800 SHAKTI/0800742584

Youthline                                                                                       0800 376633 or freetext 234    

 

 

Disabled Students

Please let me know early in the course of any difficulties you may have or assistance I may reasonably render. Information about Disabilities Services can be found here:https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/on-campus/student-support/personal-support/students-with-disabilities.html. They can be contacted via: disability@auckland.ac.nz.

Workload:

The expected workload commitment for a 15-pt course is approximately 10 hours/week throughout the semester, inclusive of classes and study break. You should therefore be dedicating about seven hours/week, independently of face-to-face classes, to reading, preparing for assignments and revising your notes. This course is predicated on this workload.

Course Non-Completion; Coursework Non-Submission

Occasionally things just don’t work out. In such cases, it maybe possible to apply for aegrotat consideration for individual pieces of coursework, provided you have solid grounds for which you can provide evidence to the university: https://uoa.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2716/p/212;213/kw/Aegrotat%20and%20compassionate%20consideration%20for%20exams (Links to an external site). Links to an external site. This seems to largely apply to tests and exams, but I have occasionally seen cases in which it has been presented for other coursework. Or, if you find yourself unable to remain in the course after the two-week deadline for amending enrolment and have solid reasons for this, you may be eligible for a late deletion: https://uoa.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1464 (Links to an external site). Links to an external site. I can sometimes help with this for students who have kept in touch with me during the course.

Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:          

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details