Courses Description
GEC1004 or GEH1014 or GEK2022 Samurai, Geisha, Yakuza as Self or Other
Offered by Department of Japanese Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course is about learning to recognize and see beyond stereotypes in media by examining cultural icons from Japan's past and present. We will examine samurai, geisha, yakuza, and ninja as they appear in popular culture (film, anime and manga), and compare with historical record. Students will gain a richer understanding of the 'realities' behind such icons, and will be equipped to challenge stereotypes of Japan presented by journalism, popular culture, and the humanistic and social sciences. Ultimately such discovery will lead students to question their own knowledge of self and other.
EN2207 Gender and Sexuality in Literature
Offered by Department of English, Linguistics & Theatre Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-3-0-4-3 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course offers an introduction to some of the key concepts and theoretical perspectives in gender, sexuality, and feminist studies. We will examine literature and theory as major sources of feminist knowledge production. The course focuses on developing analytical skills for examining the politics of gender and feminism as expressed in the formal, structural, and thematic elements of both critical and creative texts. With an emphasis on cultivating strong writing practices, it also aims to foster effective strategies for academic research and writing that demonstrate an informed awareness of the wider contextual debates and methodologies in feminist and literary studies.
HS2919 Blood and Womb: Culture and the Body in Malay Society
Offered by Department of Malay Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course illuminates the interdependent, even contentious roles of culture, the state, modern medicine, science and technology in the management and surveillance of gendered, racialised and sexed bodies. It utilises a feminist and postcolonial perspective to understand the roles of various actors in the control and care of the body, The geographical-cultural focus of this course is Muslim Southeast Asia. In examining the cultural and political aspects of treatment and wellbeing, this course covers a range of topics and case studies, ranging from the biopolitics and necropolitics of populations, to sexuality and race in the management of health and wellbeing.
JS2228 Gender and Sexuality in Japan
Offered by Department of Japanese Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-4-3 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course provides an introduction to basic gender and feminist theories through a comparative examination of Japanese and other cultures. We begin by interrogating the ways that the terms "male" and "female" have been defined variously using biological, social, legal and political criteria. Using selected historical, literary and ethnographic examples as case studies, we examine the discourses pertaining to the use of these categories as both the process and consequence of unequal distribution of power within society. Through debate and discussion, students will gain a deeper understanding of the variation and mutability of gender and sexual discourse as a social, rather than purely ontological, construct.
MS2213 Families and Households - Lived Experiences
Offered by Department of Malay Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course aims to provide an understanding of contemporary forms and practices of Malay families and households. It discusses the underlying concepts in family studies and prevalent notions of the Malay family and household derived from earlier studies. A major focus is to show the changing nature of Malay family and household structures as well as their diverse forms. Furthermore, the dynamic social relationships in households will be analyzed from different perspectives. In addition the course explores how Malay families "design" family styles in a context of changing societies. The course is targeted for students interested in family studies.
NHS2050 Gender and Ecology in Asia
Offered by NUS College Dean's Office
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 4-0-0-4-2 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN (if in one of the cohorts from 2022 inclusive THEN must have completed 1 of any Courses beginning with NTW at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | Nil |
Women around the world struggle with the various fallouts from climate crisis. This vulnerable demographic struggles to combat both real and ideological conditions connecting women and Nature. Cognizing this, the field of Ecological feminism [Ecofeminism] has grown rapidly in the past few decades. This introductory module to ecofeminism will combine literary analysis, environmental humanities and feminism. It will extend students’ knowledge of feminism and environmental issues relating to women. Fundamental to the study will be the literary analysis of texts taught in a scaffolded way. The module will examine literary texts by Asian women across South, East and Southeast Asia.
SC2205 Sociology of the Family
Offered by Department of Sociology
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course challenges you to look at the family through the sociological eye. We begin the course by looking at the fundamental principles at work within the family. As the course progresses, we focus on specific issues/phenomena that affect the contemporary family. Throughout the course, you will be asked to critically evaluate assumptions we have about the family. This course is mounted for all NUS students, in particular, those with a keen interest in Sociology.
SC2220 Gender Studies
Offered by Department of Sociology
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course introduces the topic of gender by using basic concepts like biological sex, nature, nurture, roles, norms and culture. The meaning of gender categories is examined in relation to difference, exchange, reproduction, knowledge and social change. Although the main perspective is ethnographic, this course is intended to be an exercise in interdisciplinary thinking. Understanding gender provides a foundation to analyze social structures (power and inequality), social institutions (family, kinship, education, economy, the state, health) and cultural issues (science, food, emotions, popular culture).
SN2234 Gender and Society in South Asia
Offered by South Asian Studies Programme
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 3-0-0-0-7 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course aims to expose students to women's position and gender discrimination in South Asia, relating these to broader aspects of society, economy and culture. Comparisons with the students' own experiences, leading to appreciation of cross-cultural perspectives on women and gender, are part of the envisaged learning outcomes. Topics covered include women's position in the family and the kin-group, the market, social and political institutions, violence and trafficking, feminist critiques, activism and resistance, cinematic and literary expressions. The course would be of general interest to all students concerned about women's position and gender, as well those interested in South Asia.
AS3213 American Law: Language and Gender
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 3-0-0-5-3 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | EL3274, EL3274B |
This course introduces students to the multidisciplinary field of language, law and gender within the American context. Topics covered include abortion rights, pornography, gay rights and sexual harassment. By discussing these issues from the viewpoint of judicial decisions, students will gain an understanding of the complex interactions between cultural, legal, ideological, political and linguistic assumptions in relation to the issue of gender discrimination. The course is designed for students with a strong interest in the inter-relationships between language, law, ideology and gender.
EN3244 Gender and Literature
Offered by Department of English Language and Literature
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | EN1101E or EN2101E or GEK1000 |
| Preclusion | Nil |
Much of the most memorable literature is concerned with gender-related issues, including religion and gender, social perceptions of gender, the definition and construction of gender roles and, crucially, gender and the formation, nature and expression of identity. This course explores some of the different ways in which literature written by both men and women writers not only explores the dilemmas that come with relationship, but also problematises notions of gender. It focuses on the variety of ways in which gender-related issues determine not only the motivation and course of personal interaction, but also narrative structure and concerns.
EN3245 Feminism: Text and Theory
Offered by Department of English Language and Literature
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 3-0-0-4-3 |
| Pre-requisite | EN1101E or EN2101E or GEK1000, or a minimum of 12 Units of EL courses. |
| Preclusion | Nil |
The course aims to introduce students to central concepts in feminism, and apply these to the analysis of literary texts, to arrive at an understanding of gender dichotomies that influence the writing and reading of texts. A range of feminist texts, from Virginia Woolf, Simone De Beauvoir, Kate Millett etc, to contemporary feminist critics, will be explored. These theoretical concepts will be used to analyse texts from different genres including short stories, plays, novels, visual texts etc. Students will be expected to engage with feminism as both an ideology and a literary tool of analysis.
GE3206 Gender, Space and Place
Offered by Department of Geography
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course examines the impact of feminism on human geography, from the call to insert women into geographical analyses and take into account gender relations in rethinking dominant definitions of space, place, landscape and nature to more recent debates on diversity and difference. It also explores the politics and practice of doing feminist research in geography. Drawing on case studies in both developed and developing countries, the gendering of specific sites (ranging from the home to the nation) and processes (e.g. migration) is explicated in the course. The course is targeted at all students interested in gender issues.
GE3241 Geographies of Social Life
Offered by Department of Geography
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | GE2224 |
This course explores debates in geography about social issues. It emphasises the relationship between social identity and social space, and how different places reflect and shape diverse ways of life. The course examines the role of space in the interplay of different social groups (e.g. ethnic groups, men/women), and in relation to different aspects of daily life (e.g. housing, leisure). Its emphasis, however, is on how to think about these issues in different scales/contexts (streets, public spaces, global cities). The course is intended for geography majors, and students throughout NUS with an interest in the relationship between society and space.
GE3249 Geographies of Life and Death
Offered by Department of Geography
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | GE2206 |
This course introduces students to contemporary debates in population from a geographical perspective, focusing on the ways that geography is implicated in the processes and meanings of life and death. Besides examining historical and contemporary population trends and demographic transitions, this course also investigates discourses and politics around topics such as fertility and women’s bodies, migration and transnational life, disease and health‐care, and ageing, death and dying. The course enables students to think critically about contemporary population problems and solutions and to understand how these influence policy formulation and everyday lives. This course is open to all students who are interested in population issues from a social science perspective.
HY3245 Engendering History/Historicising Gender
Offered by Department of History
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
Gender is a primary way of signifying relationships of power. This course adopts a historical perspective on the ways in which gender has provided for articulating and naturalising differences.
MS3216 Gender and Islam
Offered by Department of Malay Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course looks at gender relations of Malay women and men in different socio-cultural and institutional contexts in Malay societies. The focus is on social constructions and re-production of Malay femininities and masculinities. Students will be provided with a theoretical framework to examine issues concerning Malay women and men including how Malay women and men are represented in literature and media as well as contestations with regards to womans and mans roles in development projects, family and in the work place. Students will also explore the contributions of experiences of Malay women and men to academic discourses on gender relations.
PH3217 Women in Philosophy
Offered by Department of Philosophy
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-0-7 |
| Pre-requisite | One PH course |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course deals with philosophy by women (eg Christine de Pisan, Hildegaard von Bingen, Mary Wollstonecraft, Ban Zhao, Iris Murdoch, Martha Nussbaum) and philosophy about women, to counter the perceived neglect of these in many philosophical discourses. Students are encouraged to reflect critically about their own experiences as men and women who live in a gendered world, to think through the implications of gender: how women's experience may challenge some fundamental assumptions regarding human nature, femininity and masculinity, sexuality and the body, public and private life, subjectivity and representation. We will explore how these challenges to philosophy may be met.
PS3237 Women and Politics
Offered by Department of Political Science
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | PS3207B |
This course examines established political theories and ideologies in addressing gender equality and representation in politics. It also presents various traditions in feminist political thinking and evaluates their intellectual contributions to politics. The second part of the course examines the practical dimensions of gender politics such as women's movements and national and international conventions and institutions. It analyses the relationship among gender, class, and ethnicity, and examines the cultural and religious perceptions of these identities. The course is available to all year 1-3 students at NUS.
SC3219 Sexuality in Comparative Perspective
Offered by Department of Sociology
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
Sex, sexuality and sexual orientations are cultural forms rather than purely "natural" states. This course examines the variety of social dimensions that shape human sexuality. A range of theoretical perspectives and cross-cultural comparisons are drawn in order to unravel the complexities of sexualities and to see how sexualities are shaped by historical norms, social scripts, political structures, global forces and commodification. Students are required to read historical materials, anthropological research and be familiar with political economy and social constructionist paradigms.
SE3222 Gender in Southeast Asia
Offered by Department of Southeast Asian Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-4-3 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
What are the experiences of men and women during the pre-colonial, colonial and contemporary eras in Southeast Asia? How are gender identities and roles constructed? How do the interplays between local cultures, class, ethnicity, economy, politics and religion affect power relations between men and women in both the private and public spheres? Using interdisciplinary approaches, this course will examine these questions via recent literature, ethnographic studies, life histories, films and other audio-visual documentaries concerning men and women in different parts of the Southeast Asian region.
SW3206 Gender Issues in Social Work Practices
Offered by Department of Social Work
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 2-1-0-1-6 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course uses a life course approach to studying gender issues and their implications for social work practice. Three broad phases of the life course are examined: childhood and adolescence, mid-life, and old age. For each phase, the major issues affecting women that have implications for micro-level and macro-level social work practice will be examined. As there are some issues (e.g. role stereotypes) that recur over different phases of life, they will be examined over the life course.
NHS3001 What is Gender?
Offered by NUS College
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-4-0-0-6 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN (if in one of the cohorts from 2022 inclusive THEN must have completed any Courses beginning with NTW at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | Nil |
What is "gender"? What kinds of definitions have been advanced or implied for this perplexing word? How have thinkers - in fields as diverse as anthropology, history, literature, philosophy, psychology, science studies, and sociology - helped to define and even invent this category that we call "gender"? How have these definitions changed the way we think? What kinds of problems have these definitions created? In this module, we will analyse various moments in intellectual history when there has been a struggle over the meaning of "gender" (and seemingly related terms like "sex" and "sexuality") in order to understand the term's function as a category of analysis.
JS3230 Men and Women in Modern Japanese Literature
Offered by Department of Japanese Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-3-0-3-4 |
| Pre-requisite | Nil |
| Preclusion | Nil |
This course will look at constructions of gender in modern Japanese literature by both female and male authors. Readings will cover some of the major authors, genres, and literary movements of modern Japanese literature, as well as secondary readings in gender theory.
EN4226HM English Women Novelists 1800-1900
Offered by Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-5-7.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN1 at a grade of at least D, any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN2 at a grade of at least D, any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN3 at a grade of at least D, any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN4 at a grade of at least D AND ( the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater OR must be Year 4)) |
| Preclusion | EN4226 |
In this course, we will read seven lively novels by major nineteenth‐century women writers and discuss how women writers contributed to the development of the classic realist novel and the gothic novel. Thematic foci include contemporary views of gender, especially the ideologies of “separate spheres” and “the angel in the house”; colonialism and industrialization; social class; and religious agitation and religious doubt. The class will also read and evaluate a few important critical articles concerning the women’s tradition in the English novel.
EN4226 English Women Novelists 1800-1900
Offered by Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-5-5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive AND must have completed 5 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN1 at a grade of at least D, any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN2 at a grade of at least D, any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN3 at a grade of at least D, any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN4 at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | EN4226HM |
In this course, we will read seven lively novels by major nineteenth‐century women writers and discuss how women writers contributed to the development of the classic realist novel and the gothic novel. Thematic foci include contemporary views of gender, especially the ideologies of “separate spheres” and “the angel in the house”; colonialism and industrialization; social class; and religious agitation and religious doubt. The class will also read and evaluate a few important critical articles concerning the women’s tradition in the English novel.
EL4253HM Language, Gender and Sexual Identities
Offered by Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-7-5.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND ( must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EL at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN at a grade of at least D) AND must have completed EL2151 AND ( the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater OR must be Year 4)) |
| Preclusion | EL4253 |
This course encourages you to think analytically about identity construction issues regarding gender and sexuality by focusing on language, and about the relation between language and social practice. The goals are inseparably intellectual and political: responsible scholarship and citizenship require the ability and eagerness to go beyond stereotype, common belief, and the popular press, to evaluate claims for oneself in a knowledgeable way. Through the gathering and analysis of data, you will be asked to look for questions that might be answered, problems that might be solved, and issues that might be explored.
EL4253 Language, Gender and Sexual Identities
Offered by Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-7-3 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive AND ( must have completed 5 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EL at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 5 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EN at a grade of at least D) AND must have completed EL2151) |
| Preclusion | EL4253HM |
This course encourages you to think analytically about identity construction issues regarding gender and sexuality by focusing on language, and about the relation between language and social practice. The goals are inseparably intellectual and political: responsible scholarship and citizenship require the ability and eagerness to go beyond stereotype, common belief, and the popular press, to evaluate claims for oneself in a knowledgeable way. Through the gathering and analysis of data, you will be asked to look for questions that might be answered, problems that might be solved, and issues that might be explored.
PS4883AHM Topics in PT: Orientalism and Femininity
Offered by Department of Political Science
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-3-0-2-7.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater OR must be Year 4 AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2019 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with PS at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with HY at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with GL at a grade of at least D) OR if undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2020 inclusive AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with PS at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with HY at a grade of at least D AND the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater OR must be Year 4) |
| Preclusion | PS4883A |
This course explores the construction of an Oriental femininity in western scholarly, journalistic, and artistic production in the 19th and 20th century. It begins by examining colonial representations of Oriental women mapped onto an exotic fantasy of the harem. It then traces the imprint of the Orientalist cosmology upon 20th century portrayals of Muslim women within the context of a “clash of civilizations” and American intervention in Afghanistan. It also addresses the “headscarf controversy” that has erupted in France in the 1980s, and the linkages between the “veil”, agency, Islam, and secular modernity.
PS4883A Topics in PT: Orientalism and Femininity
Offered by Department of Political Science
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-3-0-2-5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with PS at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with HY at a grade of at least D OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | PS4883AHM |
This course explores the construction of an Oriental femininity in western scholarly, journalistic, and artistic production in the 19th and 20th century. It begins by examining colonial representations of Oriental women mapped onto an exotic fantasy of the harem. It then traces the imprint of the Orientalist cosmology upon 20th century portrayals of Muslim women within the context of a “clash of civilizations” and American intervention in Afghanistan. It also addresses the “headscarf controversy” that has erupted in France in the 1980s, and the linkages between the “veil”, agency, Islam, and secular modernity.
ACADEMIC CONVENOR
Dr Jennifer Estes