Overview
Theoretical and research perspectives on gender issues in education with particular attention to how gender intersects with race, class and sexualities; how educational policies and practices address gender issues; and how discourse analysis is a useful analytical tool.
Does feminism still matter? Are we in a post-feminist phase? Or does feminism matter more than ever?
This paper explores the role of feminist ideas in understanding gender issues in education here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We explore contemporary feminist politics and debates. We introduce you to discourse analysis so you can critically analyse popular advice books that claim to know the best ways to 'bring up' girls and boys (assignment one). We explore a range of topics on creating gender-inclusive curriculum, pedagogy and policy, and 'queering' the curriculum, with lots of opportunities for debate and incorporation of media hot topics.
The paper is all internally assessed. The major assignment allows you to research a gender topic of your choice. Students in the past have researched diverse topics such as gender representations in Disney movies, school textbooks, high school websites and children's picture books; others have even surveyed the toy aisles of the Warehouse. Once armed with your data, you will explore the implications for education. You are supported throughout all of the assignments to gain critical analytical skills and valuable research skills. Past students have noted how this paper gave them new ways of viewing the world.
About this paper
| Paper title | Gender Issues in Education |
|---|---|
| Subject | Education |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $981.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- (EDUC 101 or one 100-level GEND, PSYC, SOCI or SOWK paper) and (one 200-level EDUC, GEND, PSYC, SOCI or SOWK paper)
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
- A background in education, sociology or gender prepares you well for this paper.
- Contact
Professor Karen Nairn, karen.nairn@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Paper Co-ordinator: Professor Karen Nairn
- Paper Structure
Topics will include, but will not be limited to:
- The interaction of gender, race and class
- Academic achievement
- Classroom interactions
- Power
- Curriculum
- Pedagogy
- Educational policy
- Textbooks
Resources:
Course readings are available via links on Blackboard or via the library's eReserve. eReserve refers to online reserve material available for download via the catalogue.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Demonstrate familiarity with common approaches to questions of gender in educational settings
- Investigate social constructions of reality and everyday discourse which maintain gender inequality in New Zealand
- Become familiar with New Zealand educational and socio-political history as it relates to issues of gender
- Gain insight into New Zealand policies and political issues that have contributed to gender inequities
- Develop an understanding of the interaction between race, class, culture and gender
- Examine current practice in school and early childhood settings and discuss procedures for change
- Improve your critical writing