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2022/2023

Language and Gender

Code: 105798 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2503878 Sociocultural Gender Studies OB 1 1

Contact

Name:
Irene Zurron Servera
Email:
irene.zurron@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Prerequisites

Students must have the necessary linguistic knowledge to be able to express themselves correctly both in writing and orally.

Objectives and Contextualisation

This subject aims to promote critical reflection on the ability of language and discourses to intervene in the construction of gender. The objective is to examine language as a cultural, conventional and evolving product that is influenced by and participates in social practices and social differences.

Competences

  • Analyse the main discursive phenomena related to the construction and expression of gender identities, taking into account the linguistic, social and pragmatic variation. 
  • Express correctly and in a non-sexist or homophobic manner both orally and in writing.
  • Formulate, argue and discuss your own and others' ideas in a respectful, critical and reasoned way.
  • Propose integrative speeches and communicative practices from the standpoint of gender equity in audiovisual media and in educational environments.
  • Students can apply the knowledge to their own work or vocation in a professional manner and have the powers generally demonstrated by preparing and defending arguments and solving problems within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze oral interactions and written discourse with a gender perspective.
  2. Detect discriminatory stereotypes based on gender or sexual orientation in all types of communication products.
  3. Identify the manifestations of the sex / gender system through the representation of female and male identities in the media and advertising.
  4. Prepare an organized and correct speech, orally and in writing, in the corresponding language.
  5. Propose mechanisms to promote non-sexist uses of language.
  6. Question gender roles based on linguistic uses.
  7. Students can apply the knowledge to their own work or vocation in a professional manner and have the powers generally demonstrated by preparing and defending arguments and solving problems within their area of study.
  8. Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  9. Use non-sexist resources and alternatives in work spaces, education and coexistence.
  10. Use the specific technical vocabulary and own interpretation of the required disciplines.

Content

LESSON 1. Introduction to language and discourse.

LESSON 2. Relations between language and gender.

LESSON 3. Linguistic sexism, stereotypes and gender roles in communication.

LESSON 4. Discussions and proposals for non-sexist uses of language.

LESSON 5. Subversion strategies.

LESSON 6. Language and gender in literature and culture.

Methodology

  • Directed activities, made up of theoretical classes, debates and classroom practices (face-to-face or virtual).
  • Autonomous activities, where the reading of the proposed texts and the preparation of works are included.
  • Supervised activities, which must allow the preparation of a group work and its presentation.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lessons, seminars and supervised practice 45 1.8 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 7, 6, 10, 9
Type: Supervised      
Mandatory tutorials 5 0.2 4, 8, 7, 10
Oral presentations and discussions 25 1 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 8, 7, 6, 10, 9
Type: Autonomous      
Elaboration of works and projects 45 1.8 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 8, 7, 6, 10, 9
Reading and analysis of texts 30 1.2 2, 4, 3, 8, 10, 9

Assessment

 

Assessment activities

Description

Value

Critical essay

The work will have to demonstrate the reading of the bibliography and the capacity for critical reflection. The teacher will propose the topics.

30%

Presentation

The presentation (face-to-face or virtual) will be prepared in group. It must be about a topic related to the content of the subject, which must have been agreed with the teacher.

30%

Final exam

The exam will evaluate the theoretical and practical contents that will have been studied throughout the semester and will have a mixed format that will include: test questions, reflection questions and text analysis. The teacher will indicate the date of the exam at the beginning of the course.

40%

 

  • The final mark will be the average of the marks of the three assessment activities. In order to pass the course it is necessary to obtain at least an average grade of 5.
  • At the time of each evaluation activity, the teacher will inform the students of the procedure and the date of revision of the grades.
  • Students will receive a Failing grade if they have not submitted one of the assessment activities.
  • Students will receive the grade of Not assessed as long as they have not submitted two or more of the assessment activities.
  • Students who obtain a final grade of less than 5 can take remedial exam if they have attended at least 2 of the 3 assessment activities.
  • A good command of the oral and written language is required. Spelling and grammatical errors will discount 0.25 each one.
  • In the event that tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.
  • In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

 

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Critical essay 30% 0 0 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 8, 7, 6, 10, 9
Oral presentation (team work) 30% 0 0 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 8, 7, 6, 10, 9
Written exam 40% 0 0 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 8, 7, 6, 10, 9

Bibliography

Beard, Mary (2018). Mujeres y poder. Barcelona: Editorial Crítica.

Butler, Judith (2004). Lenguaje, poder e identidad. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis.

Calero, María Ángeles (1999). Sexismo lingüístico: Análisis y propuestas ante la discriminación sexual en el lenguaje. Madrid: Narcea Ediciones.

Carbonell, Neus i Torras, Meri (1999). Feminismos literarios. Madrid: Arco Libros.

Cixous, Hélène (2001). La risa de la medusa: Ensayos sobre la escritura. Barcelona: Anthropos.

Fernández, Anna María (2012). La violencia en el lenguaje o el lenguaje que violenta. Equidad de género y lenguaje. México: Ítaca Editorial / UAM.

Foucault, Michel (2007). «Método». A: Historia de la sexualidad 1. La voluntad de saber. México: Siglo XXI Editores.

Marçal, Maria-Mercè (2004). Sota el signe del drac. Barcelona: Proa.

Platero, Lucas, Roson, María i Ortega, Esther (2016).  Barbarismos queer y otras esdrújulas. Barcelona: Bellaterra.

Philips, Susan, Steele, Susan i Tanz, Christine (1999). Lengua, género y sexo desde una perspectiva comparada. Quito: Abya Ayala.

Fe, Marina (coord.) (1999). Otramente, lectura y escritura feministas. México: PUEG / FFyL / FCE.

Sau, Victoria (2000). Diccionario ideológico feminista. Vol. I, II i III. Barcelona: Icaria.

Spivak, Gayatri (2009). ¿Pueden hablar los subalternos?. Barcelona: MACBA.

Subirats, Marina (2013). Forjar un hombre, moldear una mujer. Barcelona: Editorial Aresta.

Tannen, Deborah (1996). Género y discurso. Barcelona: Editorial Paidós.

Woolf, Virginia (2014). Una cambra pròpia. Sabadell: La Temerària Editorial.

Software

Just the usual software.