Over the course of the module, students are introduced to key debates, issues and theorists in gender and sexuality studies. Students will be encouraged to identify the ways in which gender and sexuality are socially constructed; intimately tied to society, bound up in our relations with others and ultimately the socio-cultural historical context we live in. students will have the opportunity to establish these connections by exploring popular culture (e.g specific novels and movies from various decades). Students will also be invited to explore how gender and sexuality identities/categories affect everyday lives. A range of topical issues are explored each week: including the origins of sexual categories, psychoanalytic explanations of formation of gender identities, and the divisive personal/political debates that were preoccupying second wave feminists in various decades. Some time on this module is also given to exploring the personal/political issues affecting the everyday lives of lesbians and gay men in the 1970s and 80s (e.g. HIV/AIDS, Section 28 and the emergence of families of choice) we engage with the debate about the extent to which society is still heteronormative. We also examine the various social factors that are informing contemporary masculine identities. Relatedly, we explore the normative status that ‘the couple’ relationship plays in society and the implications for making other relationships ‘deviant’ (e.g. polyamorous partnerships, singleton’s or LAT -living apart together relationships). Through the example of trans identities and partnerships, students will critically engage with debates around the extent to which our genders are entirely socially constructed. At the close of the module students will explore how gender and sexuality are done in other cultures and countries.

The 14% scheduled activities, 86% independent guided study:
14% scheduled activities comprise:

13 two-hour leminars

The module will be taught via a series of lectures, seminars and group discussions.

In the seminars students will engage in group discussions drawing on conventional academic resources such as journal articles, books, policies, parliamentary debates alongside popular culture (films, documentaries, novels, magazines). Each seminar will include guidance and activities that help with preparation towards the assessments.

Students learning about the connections between gender, sexuality and society will be complemented by engaging in activities outside of the class room, such as a relevant field trip.

During the 86% independent-guided study students are given some specific tasks to complete which include:

Students will also engage in independent study outside of the lecture/seminar: preparing for the seminar by doing the key reading(s) and working towards assessments. Such as participating in a gender and sexuality movie and film discussion club relating to an issue about gender or sexuality encountered on the module hosted by Level 6 peers and forming regular paired meetings outside of the taught sessions to engage in assessment preparation.

Individual tutorial support will be provided on request and students will be encouraged to seek individual tutorial guidance if required.

Students will be given informal feedback about their progress during lectures and workshops.

Students will be given formal written feedback about their coursework.

Beasley, C., (2005). Gender and Sexuality: Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers. London. Sage

Cranny-Francis A., (2002). Gender Studies: Terms and Debates. Basingstoke. Palgrave

Jackson, S ., and Scott, S., (2010). Theorising Sexuality: Theorising Society. Open University Press

Weeks, J., (2007). The world we have won: The Remaking of Erotic and Intimate Life. London Routledge

Lecture room with technology facilities; projector, speakers, suitable for PowerPoint presentations

Seminar room suitable for group work

1. Participate in a gender and sexuality movie and film discussion club relating to an issue about gender or sexuality encountered on the module hosted by level 6 peers
Communication
Understanding

2. Deliver a 15-minute paired e-poster presentation based on one of the films shown at the L6 film club
Communication
Application

3. Articulate what a specific novel or film can illustrate about societal attitudes towards gender or sexuality in a particular historical decade demonstrating the acquisition of a critical and in-depth understanding of a substantive area taught on the module
Knowledge
Understanding
Analysis
Application

Participate in a gender and sexuality film and discussion club relating to an issue about gender or sexuality encountered on the module hosted by level 6 peers and provide constructive anonymous written feedback about the discussion club (summative weighted at 20% meets learning outcome 1).

Deliver a 15-minute paired e-poster presentation based on one of the films shown at the L6 film club (summative weighted at 80%) (meets Learning Outcomes 2 and 3)

Please confirm (IF MORE THAN ONE ASSESSMENT TYPE) which is the final work the student will undertake/hand in/be assessed on:

E-poster presentation