This unit approaches the study of gender both as an academic practice and as a feature of our everyday lives. The unit introduces students to many of the terms used in the analysis of gender, and to a range of understandings of how gender is produced. It introduces students to ways of reading and ways of seeing gender in visual and written texts, and provides an overview of some of the most influential recent writing on gender issues, terms and debates. It begins with an overview of the international situation and an exploration of the history of feminist activism in twentieth century Australia as background to an understanding of the analysis of gender issues in contemporary society.