Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - GSWS 212 B100

Gender and Sexualities in Asia (3)

Class Number: 3434

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction of feminist and queer theories as interpreted and transformed by peoples in the geographic region of Asia and its diasporas. The course may be further organized by region or historical period. May be repeated for credit up to three times only when a different topic is taught. Students with credit for GSWS 212 STT may not take this course for further credit unless a different topic is offered.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course we will introduce ourselves to the study of modern South Asia. This region of our world has not only been very intensively studied but has also emerged as critically important partly because of global capital flows (seen in examples such as outsourcing, call centres, and nuclear weapons etc.) and partly because of globalizing cultural artifacts that are associated with South Asia (seen in examples such as yoga, Bollywood, caste system, arranged marriages, etc.).  Thus, this course will not only be a study of South Asia but also a study of how bodies of knowledge are transformed, circulated, contested, and consumed. This course will take South Asia as offering intellectual challenges to familiar notions of gender, sexuality, religion, love, and citizenship.  My goal in organizing our readings according to topics and keywords is to help see us the cultural logics that South Asia offers.

Each week of the course will be divided into 4 different components that will be delivered synchronously and asynchronously.

  1. Lecture: This part of the course will be delivered in person.
  2. Reading: Every week I shall upload articles from popular media, short write-ups from scholars, activists, local experts in addition to the weekly assigned readings. This is important for students to learn how to frame a research question and collect materials to analyze. This practice is essential for students in order to write their research paper.
  3. Film: A short documentary film will be made available through the library and it is important that students watch the film before the lecture.
  4. Writing: At the end of the next day, each student is required to submit a short precis (not more than 150 words) that summarizes the thoughts and questions that the student has collected after watching the film, participating in the lecture, having done both sets of readings (weekly assigned readings and popular write-ups). These submissions will be graded and count towards your grade. This will help me keep track of your progress through the semester.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

For more detailed information please see the GSWS website: http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/courses/Educational_Goals.html

Grading

  • Weekly Precis 30%
  • Midterm Essay 30%
  • Final Essay 30%
  • Attendance 10%

NOTES:

The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies has a uniform grading scheme that might differ from the one you have for other courses.

A+ 95-100, A 90-94, A- 85-89
B+ 80-84, B 75-79, B- 70-74
C+ 65-69, C 60-64, C- 55-59
D 50-54, F 0-49,
FD- Failed for Academic Dishonesty.

Please review the guidelines here for academic dishonesty:
http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html

REQUIREMENTS:

Both the midterm and the final essay should be at least 5 double-spaced pages in 12-point Times New Roman font.

Attendance: 10% (only 2 unexcused absences will be allowed. Every unexcused absence after that without a note from a medical professional or the dean’s office will result in losing a grade).

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All the weekly assigned readings will be uploaded on canvas and will be made available through the library. Students will not be required to buy any books. Readings will be around 50-75 pages, and students will be expected to do these readings before the lecture.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.