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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3070 Sexuality and Society

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Sally Hines
Email: S.Hines@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

40 credits at level 2 from programmes of study within the Faculty of ESSL or related disciplines.

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module aims to introduce students to the social, cultural and political debates and controversies of the 20th century that have focussed on sexuality. This module examines how ideas about and attitudes to sexuality have changed since the end of the nineteenth century. Using a sociological approach, it explores social understandings and cultural representations of sexuality, and examines the historical and political contexts of changing ideas about 'normal' and 'transgressive' sexualities.

Objectives

On completion of the module, students should:
- Be able to analyse the ways in which particular sexual identities are defined as 'normal' or 'transgressive'.
- Be able to examine the historical, social, cultural and political processes in which these definitions have emerged.
- Be able to illustrate how these can be applied to various forms of cultural representation and movements of social change.
- Be able to relate these themes to sociological questions concerning structure and agency, social movements and politics, and families and intimate practices.
- Be able to relate these areas to social and cultural discourses around, and practices of, gender, race, age and class.
- Be able to demonstrate an ability to think, discuss and write about these areas critically and sociologically.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should:
- Demonstrate knowledge of and critically evaluate debates about the formation of sexual identities.
- Understand the significance of historical, social political and cultural contexts in contributing to changing idea about sexual identities and identify the key moments in the development of 20th century understandings.
- Analyse and discuss examples of changing representations and social movements around sexuality.
- Appreciate the contribution the discipline of Sociology can make to the analysis of sexuality.

Skills outcomes
On completion of the module student will be expected to have acquired the following transferable skills:
- Oral skills through participation in seminar discussions and presentations
- Research, ITC and study skills
- Writing skills
- Critical and independent thinking
- Working independently and using initiative


Syllabus

The module's starting point is an exploration of the Western history of sexuality from the 19th Century onwards. The module examines the development of dominant ideas around sexuality, and addresses the impact of these discourses upon contemporary understandings and practices of sexuality.

- Introduction: Studying Sexuality
- Modern Conceptions of Sexuality and the Rise of Sexology
- The Making of the 'Homosexual'
- Post-war Sexualities: From Control to Liberation 1945-1967
- Battles around Sexuality: AIDS, Clause 28; the Age of Consent; Prostitution
- The 'Sex Wars': Sexuality and Feminism
- Kings, Queens and Gender Deviants: Transgender Sexualities
- Sexuality as a Discourse: Queer Theory
- Intersecting Sexualities: Class, 'Race' and Gender
- Sexualities, Relationships and Intimacies

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours179.00
Total Contact hours21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

40 hours preparing for lectures, 60 hours preparing for tutorials, 60 hours preparing for essays and exams, 19 hours on independent research for presentations.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at tutorials
Participation in tutorials
Assessed essay

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay5,000 words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 08/03/2010

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