INTRODUCTION TO GENDER STUDIES SHORT PAPER: ANIMATING KEY CONCEPTS

This assignment asks students to identify and explain key gender studies concepts with reference to unit readings and to explore the usefulness and significance of these concepts in relation to a specific text or situation.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Choose two key concepts that have been introduced to you in the readings/lectures from Weeks 1-4. Lectures will give you guidance in identifying key concepts, but making your choice is part of the work of this assignments. Tips: What concepts excite or inspire you? What concepts do you think you could say something coherent and even original about? What concepts work well together, in the sense that they do not overlap too much?

2. Describe, define and/or explain the concept in your own words. You should skillfully incorporate short quotes from the readings to substantiate your definition, but part of the assessment is of your ability to transpose the text into your own explanation. Your explanation of the term should be coherent and understandable to someone who is not familiar with the concept.

3. In order to animate each concept, chose a situation that exemplifies the concept. Explain how the concept helps us understand the situation you have chosen. Why/how is the concept useful and significant? What does it illuminate? What does it allow us to see? You can also mention what the concept does not illuminate or reveal about your chosen situation. (No concept can explain everything!)

You may choose a different example for each concept OR you may choose one situation that can animate both of your chosen concepts. Remember, however, that the concepts should be different from each other; avoid repeating yourself!

Your animating examples can come from course readings or from lived experience. If you chose something from the readings, it should NOT be the same text in which you find the concept itself - use a different text. If you choose an example from lived experience, avoid "hypothetical situations" - actual situations (in the media, in your personal relationships, at your workplace, etc) will provide much better ground for analysis.

ORGANISATION:

You can organise your submission however you like - you may present each concept separately, or you may integrate them both into one narrative. Choose a mode of organisation that best suits your content.

Lecture Notes & Assignment File -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ncia4ckond1dmv5/Lecture%20Notes%20%26%20Assignment%20File.rar?dl=0