1. Apply a relevant sociological theoretical perspective that describes gender and/or sexuality as a social construct to the topic covered in the novel being reviewed.
Knowledge and Understanding
Application

2. Articulate a critical understanding of continuities and shifts in how categories have been used over time to define one’s gender and/or sexuality
Knowledge and Understanding
Enquiry

3. In a critical review of a novel demonstrate acquisition of a critical and in-depth knowledge of a substantive area taught on the module
Analysis
Application

4. In a critical review of a novel communicate how gender and/or sexuality categories affect everyday lives Application
Learning

5. In a critical review of a novel critically analyse and communicate the ways in which gender and/or sexuality are intimately connected to society, bound up in our relations with others and ultimately the sociohistorical climate we live in
Communication
Analysis
Application

1. Completion of weekly learning journal entries (250 words per entry) recording progress relating to the assignment (meets learning outcomes 1, 2, 3)

2. Critical review of a novel relating to a gender and/or sexuality theme encountered on the module (meets learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

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 of ‘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 module will be taught via a series of lectures that will be pre-recorded as podcast lectures and loaded to Blackboard for students to revisit and review
The module leader will host face-to-face and virtual seminars and group discussions which will be recorded and uploaded to blackboard for students to revisit and review. In the face-to-face and virtual seminars, students will engage in group discussions drawing on conventional academic resources such as journal articles, books, policies, parliamentary debates alongside popular culture (e.g. films, documentaries, novels, magazines).
There will be one taught assessment guidance session.
Online discussion boards will be available and used as a professional networking and shared learning space – they will not be monitored by the module leader
Students will engage in independent study outside of the lecture/seminar this will include:
Preparing for the taught sessions by doing the key reading(s)

Working towards assessments by:

Completing individual weekly learning journal entries (250-word per entry) that record progress relating to the critical review of a novel assignment. For each of these learning journal entries, students will reflect upon what a specific novel can tell them about societal attitudes towards gender and/or sexuality in a particular historical decade. They will review whether and how the different issues and theoretical perspectives they encounter each week could be applied to the topic covered in their novel. Completion of relevant material from these weekly learning journal entries can be woven into their final assessment where students will demonstrate they have gained substantive and critical insight into an issue related to gender or sexuality taught on the module. The module leader will review a sample of students’ weekly learning entries and post some general feedback about the entries so students’ learn about best practice and aspects of work to improve

Extra-curricular activities will be hosted on this module to support students’ learning about the connections between gender, sexuality and society including the opportunity to attend a relevant course field trip to a relevant gender/sexuality exhibition and opportunities to participate in a monthly gender and sexuality film and discussion club to discuss topics encountered on the module.

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

Course trip to a relevant gender/sexuality exhibition to support students’ learning about the connections between gender, sexuality and society

Lecture room with technology facilities; suitable for capturing audio of the whole session, projector, speakers, suitable for PowerPoint presentations, seminar room suitable for group work

University Library
eLibrary Resources
Blackboard
Internet

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 of ‘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.