Course Title: Psychology of Gender

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Psychology of Gender

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

 

 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BESC1441

City Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2016

BESC1441

City Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024

BESC1444

City Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014

BESC1533

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Viet2 2022,
Viet2 2023

BESC1559

RMIT Vietnam Hanoi Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Viet2 2023

Course Coordinator: Freya Cristea

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: freya.cristea@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses

Successful completion of:

OR

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage.


Course Description

The division of humans into females and males has overshadowed most other divisions of individual differences. This course is designed to introduce you to psychological theories and research regarding the differences and similarities between women and men and the effects of gender in social situations. This course should assist you to recognize the influence of gender on human experiences and relationships, and that assumptions about gender have real-world consequences. You will learn to understand the complexity and diversity of gendered experiences in the social settings of their own and other cultures. You will examine the ways in which the male - female distinction has been assigned meanings and a significance that have specific implications for almost all aspects of social life, and especially for work, family life, ritual, and leisure. Issues of ’femininity’ and ’masculinity’ go far beyond individual identity and self-concept. To appreciate the personal and political dimensions of gender, you will examine what we know and do not know about the similarities and differences between women and men, the sources of that knowledge, theories or explanations to account for those differences (including the so-called, nature-nurture debate), and the way the knowledge might itself be limited by cultural perceptions of femininity and masculinity.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP154 Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology):

  • PLO 1:  Understand appropriate and relevant fundamental and applied evidence based knowledge and undertake lifelong learning to improve personal and professional practice 
  • PLO 2: Demonstrate a capacity to employ a variety of approaches and procedures to research to permit judgements and decisions to be supported by appropriate evidence that places practice within a global and local context.
  • PLO 3:  Applies knowledge to diagnose and solve problems in a wide range of diverse situations, with an ability to work independently or with others and incorporate the analysis of evidence based scientific literature to solve psychological problems.
  • PLO 6: develop collaborative partnerships with colleagues, other professionals and the community that build on the capacity of others and develop open and flexible relationships that adapt to evolving needs and aspirations.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Summarise, critique, and apply psychological theories that attempt to explain gender differences
  2. Critically appraise psychological research on gender-related topics
  3. Appreciate the diversity within gender and between the genders
  4. Articulate cultural and historical differences regarding accepted gender roles
  5. understand the biological and learned differences that affect thinking, relating, developing, and in general, the functioning of the genders.
  6. Identify how gender influences social interactions in everyday life and how the changing roles of men and women impact on a complex society


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is offered in an adult-learning model, as a series of 6 three-hour seminars on key topics in the first half of the semester. You will contribute to these seminars by completing preparatory reading, engaging in discussion and critical reflection, and participating in activities. In the second half of the semester you will undertake a series of structured activities to support your work on the independent project.

The assessment associated with this course will comprise formative and summative elements.

These assessments may include use of online technology and are designed to require students to demonstrate a critical analysis of the core principles presented in the course. Assessment completed in the first half of the semester will provide feedback on your progress. Ongoing feedback on your skills will be provided from peers and staff.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Gender Awareness Activity/Exercise
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, & 3

Assessment Task 2: Independent Project Assessment
Weighting 50%
 This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 3: Problem-based Assessment Task
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.