Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
Gender and sexuality are evident in economics, culture, politics, religion, colonialism and present-day institutions, as well as domains of identity, relationships, and everyday experience. Social science perspectives on gender and sexuality draw largely on in-depth, community-based research to understand socio-cultural patterns as they are manifest in everyday life. We connect everyday experiences and practices to broader societal configurations and theoretical perspectives. This course will provide students with fundamental knowledge of social science theoretical perspectives, essential concepts, and diverse cultural case studies to generate expertise in gender analysis. It explores inequalities and other gender/sexuality dynamics within an innovative set of social issues: labour relations, climate change, gender-based violence, women’s activism, nationalism, human rights, colonial-racial formations, consumer culture, religion, love, language and desire.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Some familiarity with sociological ideas is helpful, but not essential.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
SOCY1050
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
SOCY1060, SOCY2040
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Jenny Munro
Dr Jennifer Maturi
Tutor
Mr Abideen Amodu
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course consists of weekly, three-hour seminars. The seminars will involve a mixture of lectures, group activities and discussion. Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of social science theoretical perspectives and essential concepts related to gender and sexuality. Students will be exposed to diverse cultural case studies to generate expertise in gender analysis. Upon completion of the course students will be prepared to work confidently and ethically with gender and equity issues in international and Australian settings, in the community, government roles, or private sector employment.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and challenge theory, concepts, and arguments from social scientists about gender and sexuality.
LO2.
Work boldly with theory from intersectionality, decoloniality, and interpretivism to craft an innovative gender analysis of a contemporary social issue.
LO3.
Critically engage with ideas about how culture influences gender/sexual relations, ideals and norms.
LO4.
Apply an intersectional understanding of gender/sexuality to a case study.
LO5.
Explain and reflect on course concepts that link gender/sexuality to wider social issues and ethical considerations.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
In Class Written Reflection
|
25% |
Week 2: 4/08/2025 4:00 pm Week 3: 11/08/2025 4:00 pm Week 4: 18/08/2025 4:00 pm Week 5: 25/08/2025 4:00 pm Week 6: 1/09/2025 4:00 pm Week 7: 8/09/2025 4:00 pm Week 8: 15/09/2025 4:00 pm Week 9: 22/09/2025 4:00 pm Week 11: 13/10/2025 4:00 pm Week 12: 20/10/2025 4:00 pm
in class time |
| Essay/ Critique | Gender analysis essay | 40% |
5/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Examination
|
35% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
In Class Written Reflection
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Week 2: 4/08/2025 4:00 pm
Week 3: 11/08/2025 4:00 pm
Week 4: 18/08/2025 4:00 pm
Week 5: 25/08/2025 4:00 pm
Week 6: 1/09/2025 4:00 pm
Week 7: 8/09/2025 4:00 pm
Week 8: 15/09/2025 4:00 pm
Week 9: 22/09/2025 4:00 pm
Week 11: 13/10/2025 4:00 pm
Week 12: 20/10/2025 4:00 pm
in class time
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
Students are asked to write a reflection in class (pen/paper) related to one of the weekly required readings. A total of 10 reflections will be held, 1 in each of these weeks: Weeks 2-9, 11 and 12. Students must complete 8/10 reflections to receive full marks (Total out of 24 will be weighted to 25%). Each reflection should be half a page to 1 page and is worth 3 marks. These will be marked on a pass/fail basis. To pass, the reflection must contain some accuracy in regard to the topic reading and be legible (clear enough to read). No electronic resources or printed copies of the readings may be referred to during the task.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Reflections will be handed in during class time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
As the reflections will be handed in during class, there are no late submission options. Students may miss two reflections and still get full marks. Failure to submit will result in losing the 3 marks for that week's reflection, unless exceptional circumstances apply (See Extension information).
Gender analysis essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
5/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03
Task description
Choose one of the three video options and write an analytical essay of 1500 words (+/-10%) from one of the following theoretical perspectives: Intersectional approach OR Decolonial approach OR Interpretive approach. Define the issue your essay will focus on and identify which approach you are using. Explain, with supporting evidence, the context of this issue. Explain, with evidence, the theoretical lens and a few key concepts you will be using. Apply the theory to the issue, giving examples from people’s statements/narration in the video, and drawing on academic sources to support an analysis of the wider issue. Use UQ library sources only and include the permalink in your reference list. Reference using APA7.
Marking Criteria: argument and structure (Defining the issue) 10; Research (into the context) 10; Use of theory (definition, concepts, examples) 10; style (expression, referencing) 10. See rubric on Blackboard for more detail about criteria and standards.
Video Options TBC
“Indigenous people taking part in CDP trial appeal for conditions to continue”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKWWiHqAzE
“Gay rights advocates mobilise in the Cook Islands”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbntJRY5-WI
“China’s leftover men: desperately seeking wives”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4orQ0p788k
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Additional resources are available through UQ AI Student Hub .
Fabrication or misrepresentation of sources may result in an integrity case and referred for academic misconduct. Possible outcomes from a misconduct case includes a failing mark or grade.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Final Examination
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
Final exam will assess your ability to advance an intersectional understanding of gender and to correctly identify and discuss course concepts that link gender/sexuality to social issues and social theory.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply.
An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here.
For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Failure to meet most or all of the basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Clear deficiencies in understanding basic concepts and skills of the course; clear deficiencies in meeting most basic requirements of the course. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falling short of sufficient understanding of basic concepts and skills of the course; falling short of meeting basic requirements of the course. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Accurate but basic understanding of concepts and skills of the course. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Accurate, coherent, and justified understanding of concepts and skills of the course. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Thorough, accurate and justified understanding of the concepts and skills of the course, and ability to draw links between them. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Critical, justified, and comprehensive understanding of the concepts and skills of the course and ability to relate them to challenges in the field. |
Additional course grading information
Grades are calculated based on the marks received which are awarded according to how well each piece of assessment has met the required criteria. Please read the grade descriptions carefully to understand what is required for the award of a particular grade. For example, demonstrating proficiency in achieving the course learning outcomes is sufficient for a grade 5 whereas a grade 7 requires exceptional achievement of the learning outcomes. A final grade is determined by adding together the sum of all individual assessment tasks.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Course materials will be available via Blackboard.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Seminar |
Introduction to Gender and Sexuality This session develops some history of gender and sexuality as ideas, drawing on anthropology, sociology, feminist theory, and Critical Indigenous Studies. It introduces some of the key elements of social science approaches to gender/sexuality, including methods, intersectionality, and the structure-agency debate. Lecturer: Jenny Munro |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Seminar |
Theoretical Perspectives This session provides an introduction to some key theoretical framings for considering gender and sexuality that we will be using in the course, especially intersectionality, decoloniality and interpretivism. Lecturer: Jenny Munro |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Seminar |
Indigenous Australian Women’s Contributions and Experiences Looking historically and in the present day, this session reveals the colonial and gender constraints on Indigenous women in Australia, as well as women’s roles in resistance and resilience. It considers life experiences and cultural contexts, showing gender at the intersection of historical processes. Lecturer: Jenny Munro |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Seminar |
Gender Norms: Normativity, Diversity and Divergence This week we focus on how culture, nationalism, racialisation, medicine and other important social contexts shape the notion of normality and diversity in gender and sexuality. We consider gender meanings, structures, experiences drawing on anthropological and sociological theories of gender and embodiment. Lecturer: Jenny Munro |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Seminar |
Gender Relations and Sexual Politics This session develops the notion of gender relations and the concepts of sexual politics and moral geographies, with a focus on religious intersections past and present, drawing on international case studies. Lecturer: Jenny Munro Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Seminar |
Law, Culture and Human Rights Human rights for all? We put universalist concepts of rights and equality to the test this week, exploring feminism and the travel of human rights – How do rights and the law work together, and who gets included and excluded as a result? How do rights ‘make’ gender (Seear & Mulcahy, 2022)? And what happens when rights come into conflict with each other? We examine human rights in different cultural contexts, asking how else people might conceptualise ideas of care and protection outside the law as we have it now? Lecturer: Jennifer Maturi |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Seminar |
Gender-based Violence: Experiences and Responses from Australian Migrant and Refugee Communities In this week’s lecture we look at gender-based violence in Australia – what it is and responses to it. We chart how gender-based violence went from feminist activism aiming to change systems and institutions to individualistic service delivery focused on legal interventions and women leaving violent relationships. Using the case of refugee and migrant communities living in Australia as an example, we draw on data from interviews with refugee and migrant front-line workers and community leaders to understand what is working well, what is not, and how we might make space for difference in gender-based violence policy and practice. Lecturer: Jennifer Maturi |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Seminar |
Politics of Care: Institutional Responses to Gender Inequality Welfare was supposed to be the answer to social problems. The introduction of financial support for mothers meant women could live independent of men, while professions like psychology and social work could treat and cure problems like mental health, homelessness, disability and unemployment. This week we take the politics of ‘care’ as a starting point to look at some of the consequences institutional responses to gender have had, and continue to have, for those marginalized at multiple intersections such as gender, sexuality, race, disability and class. Lecturer: Jennifer Maturi |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Seminar |
Neoliberalism, Feminist Politics, and Digital Worlds How we define or use neoliberalism changes across contexts, from global economies to the privatisation of essential services – for this week’s lecture we look at the effects of neoliberalism in terms of radical politics concerning gender, race and sex; wokeness and wellbeing amid capitalist consumption; and the digital world. We pay particular attention to online digital ‘knowledge cultures’ (Kanai & Gill, 2020) and how the digital world is redrawing how we learn about gender and ‘become’ gendered subjects. Lecturer: Jennifer Maturi |
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break Break 29 Sept - 3 Oct |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Public Holiday - No Class |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Seminar |
Food, Spice and BBQ This session looks at gender, race, coloniality and tradition in the context of a popular everyday activity – cooking. Lecturer: Jenny Munro |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Seminar |
Sexuality, Love, and Affect Building on earlier introductions to sexuality, this session provokes discussion of some of the political, cultural, and affective dimensions of love, desire and sex. Lecturer: Jenny Munro |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Seminar |
Course Conclusion Course recap and exam preparation Lecturer: Jenny Munro Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.