GEND207 Masculinities

A critical exploration of the social construction of masculinity, drawing upon a range of approaches from feminism, sociology and cultural theory. New Zealand masculinities are considered within an historical and international context.

This paper provides an introduction to the field of masculinity studies and provides opportunities for students to undertake in-depth exploration of particular areas in the field that interest them. The paper considers both how 'masculinity' has been represented, experienced and reproduced within various social contexts and how these aspects of masculinity change over time. We examine historical and contemporary masculinities in relation to a range of everyday topics, including work, family, sport, sexuality, technology and food, in order to contemplate the changes and continuities in men's lives.

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Prerequisite

GEND 101 or GEND 102 or 54 points

Restriction

GEND 307

Schedule C

Arts and Music

Notes

May not be credited together with GEND 234 or 334 passed in 2002.

Contact

sgsw@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work's website

Teaching staff

Lecturer: Associate Professor Chris Brickell

Paper Structure

Key topics:

• Theories of masculinities
• Men, power and politics
• Work and family
• Sexuality
• Men, representation and popular culture

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures per week and a tutorial for six weeks of the paper.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper. There is a course reader.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the paper, students should:

• Have gained a familiarity with the interdisciplinary literature on men and masculinity
• Think critically about gender in historical and contemporary contexts
• Have had practice in developing written and verbal arguments

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