2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP5320M Theorising Gender

30 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Jess Martin
Email: j.martin@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is mutually exclusive with

SLSP5312M	Theorising Gender 1
SLSP5313M	Theorising Gender 2

Module replaces

SLSP5312M Theorising Gender 1 SLSP5313M Theorising Gender 2

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Drawing on gender expertise from across the University, this module explores the key concepts and approaches that constitute contemporary gender theory as a means of understanding the ways in which gender relations are both enacted and resisted. It begins from a commitment to both interdisciplinarity (in both the teaching and module content) and transnationality, disrupting the primacy of the dominant Western feminist canon to draw on marginalised and indigenous knowledges. Using discussion-based workshops that combine student presentations, group work and class-wide discussions, the module addresses core feminist questions to give students a foundation from which to consider questions of social diversity, division, inequality, change and resistance.

Objectives

This module aims to give students a thorough grounding in the core approaches the theories that constitute contemporary gender studies. The module provides an intellectual foundation for the debates that characterise the field, including both long-standing feminist debates - for example, around the theorisation of sex / gender - alongside areas of particular contemporary significance (e.g. (post-)coloniality, sexuality). The module is governed by a commitment to the transnational and intersectional theorising of gender, centralising marginalised and indigenous knowledges while reflecting critically back on the dominant Western theoretical canon. Reflecting the nature of Gender Studies itself, the module also foregrounds interdisciplinarity, drawing on teaching expertise from across the University and on texts from across disciplines, with the aim not only of bringing different approaches into dialogue with each other, but also treating interdisciplinarity itself as an object of critical inquiry.

Learning outcomes
1. Show an ability to engage with complex theoretical debates around the meaning and significance of gender, including transnational and intersectional perspectives.
2. Think critically about the possibilities and challenges of interdisciplinarity in the context of gender studies
3. Engage fully in class discussions in relation to the key readings and their implications for our understanding of the social relations of gender
4. Effectively to support each others' learning, and to explore issues, present findings collectively and reflect on group learning activities.
5.Evaluate the significance of gender to questions of identity, social diversity and social division
6. Write an essay that demonstrates an ability to understand, evaluate and apply different theoretical approaches to past, present and anticipated future gender relations.
7. Prepare an audio podcast which mobilises gender theory to explore a key topic or debate and communicate that in a manner appropriate for an educated, non-specialist audience.

Syllabus

The content of the module will be built around key debates or issues within feminist scholarship, bringing different approaches and perspectives to bear, including:
- Sex / gender
- Intersectionality
- (Post)coloniality
- Sexuality
- Trans
- Violence
- Activism
- Popular culture and post-feminism
- Feminist technoscience
- Feminism and the academy

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	11	1.00	11.00
Seminars	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			267.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Individual preparation and participation: Students are expected to prepare thoroughly for each workshop, including reading and taking notes on (minimally) the key readings for that week; completing a worksheet (available online) to guide them through the planned discussion for the session; adding and responding to online contributions via the weekly Padlet.

Group work: students will work in assigned groups to prepare an assessed podcast, involving at least three documented meetings. They will also be contribute to a group presentation at least once during the term, which will need to be prepared collectively.

They will also need to read around their specific assessed essay topic and arrange meetings with staff to get feedback on plans.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive formative feedback on their class presentation (in writing); on their participation in class (in writing and verbally in class); and via 1:1 meetings with tutors to discuss their progress and their assessments. For the podcasts, each group is required to have at least 3 group planning meetings, the minutes for which are sent to the module convenor for review and written formative feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 4,000 words	70.00
Group Project	Group Podcast - including a 500-word individual reflection	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The group podcasts will receive a grade as a group, while the short reflective pieces will be graded individually.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/07/2023 13:26:02

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