In this course, we examine the relationship between contemporary families, gender and the late modern state. We begin the semester by conceptually examining family, gender and the state as well as the family-gender-state relationship. We will explore the varying ways that the state influences, constrains and/or governs our gendered and family lives. We examine the family-gender-state nexus through an examination of contemporary family issues. We will examine how our gendered and family lives are influenced by social policies, national laws as well as state institutions and interventions. We will spend the first 6 week laying the theoretical frameworks for examining the family-gender-state nexus. We then move on to focus on particular contemporary issues, including policies, laws and interventions related to reproductive justices, family poverty, social welfare support, family violence and post-separation family life.
The class format consists of weekly three-hour sessions that include discussion of assigned readings and other activities, for example, individual writing and reflection, small group exercises. Weekly attendance at the seminars is essential, and you will need to come having read and prepared to discuss the assigned readings for the week.