Gender and Empire: Contested Meanings and Divergent Practices (P01724)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-GeEmpire

Drawing on recent historical research that introduced gender as an analytical concept into the study of empire, this course seeks to explore a variety of discourses and practices that forged the notions of masculinities and femininities in imperial consciousness and redefined the roles of men and women in colonised societies. Moving between pre-colonial, colonial and contemporary times, the course examines the continuities and changes in gender relations in the context of the variety of economic, social and cultural systems which developed in Africa, India and Australasia.

The course aims to provide an understanding of the historiographical debates and main themes within the history of gender and empire. Following the examination of the impact of 'empire' (in the widest use of the term) on the formation of European consciousness and political practices, the course analyses the extent to which these policies affected gender relations by examining particular cases studies in specific geographical contexts (primarily Africa and India). It chiefly looks at the main transformation of gender relations throughout the colonial and post-colonial periods, although attention will be also given to the features of the relationship between men and women in pre-colonial contexts. Topics include: the impact of imperial possessions on both literature and on masculinities and femininities, pre-colonial patterns of gender relations in Africa and India, the impact of colonial policies on the status of men and women and different forms of resistance against, collaboration with and adaptation to imperial policies and cultural models.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not accepting further student enrolments.

? This course is not available to visting students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of History and Classics), (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) 50 minutes per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course aims to:
- enhance student understanding of important themes in gender history
- broaden student understanding of alternative 'world views' on gender relations
- enhance student knowledge of competing historiographical viewpoints on gender relations
- enhance student historical and transferable verbal skills in a team work situation, through the preparation and presentation of seminar papers, and collective engagement in informed discussion and debate of seminar topics
- enhance writing skills through the preparation and submission of essays exhibiting empirical rigour, theoretical and analytical skills and narrative and literary skills.