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Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
This course examines the role played by women in the social and cultural sphere in the modern Middle East focusing on Iran, Turkey and the Arabic speaking region. It explores the intersection of feminist activism with the cultural sphere and how women in the region have used cultural productions such as literature, cinema, music, visual and performing arts to advance an agenda on women's right and women's equality. Women in the Middle East are wrongly portrayed in some mainstream western discourses as passive, 'in need of saving' and oppressed but in reality, women in the region have been at the forefront of various political and social movements of change and have a vibrant culture of feminist activism and mobilization that stem from local realities and cultural specificities. The course offers two sessions on feminist movements and trends in the Middle East taking into consideration local perceptions of feminism and incorporating the role of religion and culture while examining how the states in the region have played a role in shaping women's movements. It then offers case studies of women's social and cultural mobilization from Iran, Turkey and the Arabic speaking region. The aim is to show the diversity of women's feminisms, feminist activism and mobilization through cultural production and other means and through advancing an agenda of women and LGBTQ rights.
Essay 1: 1500 words
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Essay 2: 2000
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Tutorial participation, attendance, contribution to class discussion on core readings
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
130 hours of total student learning time made up from a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing Other Information Gender, Sexuality, and Culture Major Gender and Sexuality Minor International Communication Minor Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major - ANU Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Minor - ANU Persian Major Persian Minor
All Reading Material are listed in the course guide and also posted on Wattle in the reading list. Preliminary Reading The reading list is in the course guide and posted on wattle for each week.