SOC07013 2022 Gender and Sexuality
The aim of this module is to enable students to think critically about current constructions of gender and sexuality both in a national and international context. The module will provide students with an opportunity to examine gender and sexuality in a variety of contexts. Key issues addressed include theorisation of gender and sexuality; overview of feminism and its application in contemporary society; gender, power and politics.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Analyse historical and contemporary theories of gender and sexuality
Examine gendered identities as social constructions
Analyse gendered norms and gendered practices
Examine key issues in the sociology of the body
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Class discussion, weekly readings, class presentations, debates.
Module Assessment Strategies
Continuous assessment [100%]
In class presentation. Case study on self-selected topic. Reflections on weekly readings.
Repeat Assessments
As above.
Indicative Syllabus
Conceptualising gender and sexuality:
- Examine theoretical differences through an exploration of social constructionism, biological determinism and postmodernist performativity
Gender norms and gender practices
- Evaluate discourses of 'femininity' and 'masculinity'
- Examine cultural influences on gender norms and gendered practices
Gender and the body:
- Analyse contemporary theories of the gendered and sexualised body
- Examine contemporary body related issues
Gender and power:
- Analyse political representation
- Assess gender quotas
- Theorise Power
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | In Class Presentation | Coursework Assessment | Individual Project | 35 % | Week 6 | 1,2,3 |
2 | Written up Case Study | Coursework Assessment | Assignment | 50 % | Week 13 | 1,2,3 |
3 | Annotated Reflections of Key Readings | Coursework Assessment | Assignment | 15 % | OnGoing | 1,2,3,4 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Flat Classroom | Lecture | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Tutorial | Flat Classroom | Tutorial | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Independent Learning | Not Specified | Independent Learning | 3 | Weekly | 3.00 |
Required & Recommended Book List
20/09/2021 Gender Polity
20/02/2021 Gender A Sociological Reader Routledge
Module Resources
Alsop, R. (2002) Theorizing gender. Oxford: Polity.
Anderson, K.J. (2014) Modern misogyny: ant‑feminism in a post‑feminist era. New York: Oxford University Press.
Beasley, C. (2005) Gender and sexuality: critical theories, critical thinkers. London: Sage.
Bordo, S. (2003) Unbearable weight: Feminism, western culture and the body . Berkely: University of California Press. 2nd edition
Brownmiller, S. (1986) Femininity. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Butler, J. (1993) Bodies that matter: on the discursive limits of sex. London: Routledge.
Clare, A.W. (2000) On men: masculinity in crisis. London: Arrow.
Connell, RW (1987) Gender and power: Society, the person and sexual politics . Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Connell, RW. (1995) Masculinities. Cambridge: Polity.
Gill, R. (2007) Gender and the media. Cambridge: Polity.
Hearn, J. and D. Morgan (eds.) (1990) Men, masculinities and social theory. London: Unwin Hyman.
Jackson, S. and S. Scott (2002) Gender: A sociological reader. London: Routledge
Leane , M. and Kiely , E. (eds.) (2014) Sexualities and Irish Society: A Reader. Dublin: Open Press.
Levenson , E. (2009) The Noughtie Girl's Guide to Feminism. London: Oneworld Publications.
McAuliffe , M., McAvoy , S., Redmond , J. and Tiernan, S. (2015) Sexual Politics in Modern Ireland. Dublin: Irish Academic Press.
O’ Connor, P. (1998) Emerging voices. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration.
O’ Toole, E. (2015) Girls will be girls: dressing up, playing parts and daring to act differently. London: Orion.
Wilson , G. (2015) Your Brain on Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction. Margate: Commonwealth Publishing.
Contemporary theoretical and empirical readings will be drawn from relevant journals including;
Feminist Theory
Violence Against Women
Irish Journal of Sociology
Weekly readings provided on MOODLE page.