Gender and Society 1
| Module title | Gender and Society 1 |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC2034 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Dana Wilson-Kovacs (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This module considers different theories and approaches to gender and sexuality, and explores the ways in which these intersect with concepts of masculinity, femininity, the body, work, class and ethnicity. With the use of specific examples you will explores gender as a social and cultural construction and evaluate the contribution gender studies, studies on sexuality, the body and the diverse and changing nature of personal relationships - among others - make to sociology more generally.
No prior knowledge of sociological perspectives is necessary. This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and its interdisciplinary outlook will appeal to students in social sciences and humanities.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to develop a multi-faceted, in-depth approach to the study of gender and sexuality in the Western world through an exploration of perspectives on masculinities, femininities, bodies and sexualities and their historical, cultural and social and political dimensions. As such, the module aims to
(a) introduce you to the ways in which these concepts have been articulated and debated, and
(b) help you develop a critical understanding of topical issues, together with
(c) the ability to apply such an understanding both to fine-tune your analyses of gender relations and dynamics, sexual representations and love and intimacy (to name a few) and your observation and interpretation of everyday life.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Differentiate between various perspectives on gender, sexuality and the body;
- 2. Appraise their conceptual and social relevance through informed examples;
- 3. Evaluate various perspectives on selected topics (such as feminism, hetero-normativity, love and intimacy)
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate the capacity to select topical material and structure it in order to present coherent arguments in relation to masculinities and femininities, bodies and sexualities
- 5. Acquire systematic and comprehensive knowledge of gender debates
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Plan and work independently and in groups;
- 7. Make good use of feedback; and
- 8. Act autonomously within agreed guidelines and manage time effectively to meet deadlines
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes over one or more week:
- Sex/gender debates and the critique of biological determinism
- Masculinities
- Bodies
- Femininities
- Sexuality
- Feminism
- Love and Intimacy
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour lectures will deliver the conceptual framework of the course and examples. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour seminars will allow for the detailed discussion of particular topics by the students as a group. Each seminar is based on selected lecture topics. |
| Guided Independent study | 80 | Module reading |
| Guided Independent study | 48 | Research/Reading for the essay plan and essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Plan | 750 words | 1-6, 8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 0 | 15 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation | 15 | Weekly, as part of group discussions | 6 | Verbal |
| Essay | 85 | 2500 words | 1-8 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Participation | 1500 words review | 6 | August/September assessment period |
| Essay | Essay(2,500 words) | 1-8 | August/September assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Attwood, Feona 2009 Mainstreaming Sex. The sexualisation of Western culture. London: I.B. Tauris.
Susan Bordo, Susan 2003 Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture and the Body. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Connell, Raewyn. 2005 Masculinities. London: Polity.
Fausto-Sterling, Anne 2012 Sex/gender: biology in a social world. London: Routledge.
Foucault, Michel 1990 The History of Sexuality. London: Penguin.
Halberstram, Judith 2013 Gaga feminism: sex, gender, and the end of normal. Boston Mass: Beacon.
Rahman, Morin and Jackson, Stevi 2010. Gender and sexuality. London: Polity.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web based and electronic resources:
Course materials (including lecture slides and tutorial topics/questions) will be provided on ELE prior to each lecture/tutorial.
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3120
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/06/2004 |
| Last revision date | 23/01/18 |
