Meet Dr Cassandra Byrnes, first year lecturer in the course: Gender Matters. Cassie shares what students can expect to learn in her class and her top piece of advice for new students. Get inspired to think outside the box.
Name of the first year course/s you teach?
Gender Matters (GEND1010): GEND1010 offers an introduction to key concepts, approaches and methodologies for Gender Studies, and the use of these for the reading of various media, journalistic, film and literary texts.
What is gender and why does it matter? How do we experience it? How do we understand it? Why does it have such influence on the ways our lives and bodies are organised and performed?
What can students expect to learn?
Everything about gender, from Simone de Beauvoir to Joe Rogan! This course is the beginner’s guide to gender theory, history, and practice.
Why do you like teaching this discipline?
Because gender is everywhere and so important to how we experience the world.
Think: #MeToo, the Barbie movie, Donald Trump, Taylor Swift, or spicy romance novels… they all employ gender in different ways.
What is your top piece of advice to first year students doing this course?
Don’t be afraid of the theory—no one really understands it all the first time they read it. That’s what I’m there for as your lecturer, to help you get a better grasp on it!
Who are your top three fav musicians (solo or band)?
Only three is tough!! At the moment it’s probably: boygenius, G Flip, and Gang of Youths.