Womens Studies

Women’s Studies will interest and inspire both female and male students. It offers students an opportunity to explore the construction of gender, of femininity and masculinity within different cultures and to consider how this affects the position of women within society. The approach adopted in Women’s Studies is interdisciplinary so students can explore areas as diverse as History, Media and Film, Literature, Religion, Legal Studies, Politics, Art and Health.

Students use their understanding of gender identity (femininity/masculinity), gender relations (gender stereotypes, public/private distinction), and identity as difference (identity politics) to work through four to six of the following key issues:

• Issue 1: Representations of Women in Cultural Texts
• Issue 2: Women and Work
• Issue 3: Family Life and Caring
• Issue 4: Health and Well-being
• Issue 5: Women and the Law
• Issue 6: Women’s Struggles, Achievements, and Empowerment
• Issue 7: Women, Culture, and Society
• Issue 8: Lifestyle and Choice
• Issue 9: Communication and Technology
• Issue 10: Development and Globalisation
• Issue 11: Negotiated Issue.

Whilst it is not necessary to complete Gender Studies in Stage 1 to do this subject in Stage 2 it is advantageous. Note: that most of the humanities subjects in Stage 1 will give you a reasonable skill foundation to do this subject.

 ASSESSMENT

The following assessment types enable students to demonstrate their learning in
Stage 2 Women’s Studies:

School Based Assessment (70%)

• Assessment Type 1: Text Analysis (20% – 1-2 tasks)
• Assessment Type 2: Essay (20% – 1 task)
• Assessment Type 3: Folio (30% – 3 tasks)

External Assessment (30%)

• Assessment Type 4: Issues Analysis (30% – 1 task)