SOCIOL 728 : Family, Gender and the State
Arts
2020 Semester Two (1205) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course examines the relationship between contemporary families, gender and the late modern state. It does so, first, through reading and discussing theoretical literature on the family-gender-state nexus. The introduction to this more abstract literature sets the stage for an examination of the family-gender-state nexus through a focus on various aspects of contemporary family life that are shaped by social policies, national laws and state institutions. The aspects of contemporary family life that form the focus of our readings and discussions are likely to change from year to year but may include: the state’s reliance on women’s unpaid care work; state control of motherhood and interests in mothering and how this varies by race/ethnicity and class; parental leave policies and involved fatherhood; state support for integrating work and family (e.g. flexible work entitlements, provisioning public child care); laws and policies related to the ‘post-separation family’; and family violence laws, policies and interventions.
The class format consists of weekly three-hour sessions that include discussion of assigned readings and other activities, for example, individual writing and reflection, small group exercises. Weekly attendance at the seminars is essential, and you will need to come having read and prepared to discuss the assigned readings for the week.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Be able to critically discuss 1. the contemporary state treatment of families from a feminist perspective, paying attention to gender differences and inequalities as well as how these intersect with other social structures of inequality, for example, ethnicity/race and sexuality. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Be able to theorise 2. the way gendered and other axes of inequality are articulated in state policies, programmes and laws and the implications of these articulations for different kinds of families, different family members and everyday family life (1.2, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2) (Capability 1.2, 3.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Be able to analyse and interrogate 3. the influence of state policies, laws or programmes on your own family (your family of origin or in your created family/families) (1.2, 1.3, 5.2) (Capability 1.2, 1.3 and 5.2)
- Be able to draw on 4. appropriate academic literature to develop and execute a research agenda (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 5.2) (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 5.2)
- Be able to write 5. well-researched, scholarly papers about various issues to do with familial life and the way it is treated in policy, law or programmes (2.3, 4.1, 6.2) (Capability 2.3, 4.1 and 6.2)
- Be able to present 6. this research in written and oral formats and provide constructive feedback on the work-in-progress of peers (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay 1 | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay 2 | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
Learning Resources
The course relies on readings taken from journals, edited books and monographs. An up-to-date reading list will be available on Canvas.
Workload Expectations
This course is a [30] point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect [3] hours in seminar discussions, [6-8] hours of reading and thinking about the content and [8-10] hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
NB: This course has been granted an exemption from the Lecture Recording and Release Policy. The grounds for approval are: The primary mode of delivery in the course is not conducive to capture and release of the recordings and provides limited pedagogical benefits for students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
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 (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894),
which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.