2026/27 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF5188M Engendering East Asia: Feminisms and Contemporary Art

30 Credits Class Size: 10

Module manager: Maki Fukuoka
Email: m.fukuoka@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

Mutually Exclusive

ARTF5189M Procuring Representation: Contemporary Art, East Asia, Gende

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Feminist approach to art has a long and rich history. This module takes seriously the potential in the constructive challenges this history offers. You are invited to explore specific art practice from East Asia, along with gendered sociopolitical context, in conversation with interventions from international and transnational feminist thinkings. In what way, is practicing art in Tokyo’s university akin to a feminist artist working at our school? What are the sociopolitical conditions that support women artists in China, and how can you engage with their work through a feminist lens? The module explores the issues of translatability, situatedness, and gendered desire and expectations through critical readings and select works in contemporary East Asian art. Cultural, historical, and linguistic knowledge of the region is not a pre-requisite. However, you are expected to be willing to make the module content relevant to your own academic interests. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.

Objectives

The module emerges out of a set of concerns outlined in the module summary and is structured to encourage and deepen these inquires. The module mobilises inquiry-based learning and offers an experimental space in which you continuously test and reflect your own ways of approaches to contemporary art from East Asia. This module will not provide an abridged survey of contemporary art in East Asia, but rather, offers an opportunity to refine an alternative approach to situate the role of women artists and their work through and with a set of interdisciplinary and contemporary geopolitical and intellectual awareness.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Interrogate seminal ideas of feminisms from East Asian art
2. Incorporate cultural and sociopolitical contexts of East Asia through interdisciplinary approach
3. Analyse select works and their significance in the context of feminist art discourse
4. Communicate effectively, including presentation and seminar discussion, using appropriate digital tools, language, and format
5. Apply research and bibliographic skills

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Supervision 2 0.5 1
Lectures 9 1 9
Seminars 17 1 17
Practical 1 1 1
Private study hours 272
Total Contact hours 28
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 300

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

You will keep an online learning journal in the first part of the semester, following which you will be asked to submit it for formative feedback. Each entry should combine analysis of assigned readings, session content that followed, and your reflection on refining your guiding question that brought you to the module, which we’ll discuss during the first 1-to-1 meeting.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay Essay 70
Presentation Presentation 30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team