Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Global Feminisms

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2388

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Dr Kaye Quek

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8202

Course Coordinator Email: kaye.quek@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37, Level 5, Room 12

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course is designed to introduce you to key elements of feminism and the global feminist movement. In particular, it focuses on contemporary feminist protest movements and activism relating to or resulting from processes of globalisation. Core concerns include exploring how a feminist politics is mobilised through online spaces that are coordinated and negotiated globally, as well as considering varieties of feminism and local forms of feminism. Topics examined may include: the historical development of feminism, feminist analyses of online spaces and misogyny, feminist civil protest, global campaigns relating to issues of gender and sexuality, the deployment of feminist concerns in ‘wars’ against global terrorism, intersections between feminism and movements and scholarship relating to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and debates surrounding feminist environmentalism. Through examination of these issues, you are introduced to concepts such as intersectionality, post-feminism, transnational feminism, feminist universalism, postcolonial feminism, and ‘third wave’ feminism. The course is designed to familiarise students interested in or seeking to work on global gender issues with major areas of concern to global feminist activists, and to develop students’ critical understanding of the strategies, successes, shortcomings, and points of contention in these movements. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes  

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:   

  • Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations, global cultures, language and economic issues to your professional practice or further study. 
  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on knowledge about a rapidly changing world derived from multiple sources, perspectives and values systems 
  • Apply logical, critical and creative thinking to effectively solve a range of problems associated with policies and programs in international and cross-cultural settings, and assess economic, cultural, social, environmental and political opportunities and risks. 
  • Work professionally and effectively with others in diverse cultural, linguistic and organisational contexts, and to adapt practices and knowledge to local circumstances. 


Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of feminism in a global and historical context.
  2. Explain major areas of concern to global feminist activists.
  3. Critically assess debates amongst feminist scholars and activists regarding questions of power, strategy, intersectionality, agency, universalism, transnationalism, and post-colonialism.
  4. Apply theoretical approaches to WIL / ‘real world’ scenarios involving global gender issues. 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will engage in a variety of learning activities, including lectures, tutorials, and small group discussion. Several hours of self-directed study and writing is also expected each week.


Overview of Learning Resources

Reading materials for this course will be made available via Canvas. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1: Feminist Book Club (Responses to Readings) (15%, 1000-1500 words), Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 

Assessment 2: Individual Writing Assignment (45%, 1500 words), Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4  

Assessment 3: Group Work Project (40%, approx. 500 words per student and short oral presentation), Aligned Course Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.