2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

THEO5120M Religion, Gender and Sexuality

30 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Aled Thomas
Email: A.J.L.Thomas@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

THEO5100M Contemporary Issues in Religion and Gender

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Religious beliefs, texts, practices and institutions are intricately involved in the construction and reinforcement, but also the transformation, of social and cultural norms, ideologies and politics regarding gender and sexuality. This module builds on various disciplinary approaches – such as anthropology, sociology and theology – and critical perspectives – including feminist, queer, post-colonial and post-secular theory – to examine the complex intersections of religion, gender and sexuality in contemporary societies. The module equips you with methodological and theoretical tools to engage critically with a range of issues regarding the position of women, reproductive rights, the performance of masculinity, lesbian and gay rights, heteronormativity, homonationalism, and transgender identities vis-à-vis a variety of religious traditions.

Objectives

- To introduce students to a range of disciplinary approaches and perspectives relevant to the study of religion, gender and sexuality.

- To develop advanced methodological and theoretical skills and tools to engage critically with contemporary academic and public debates regarding religion, gender and sexuality.

- To equip students to think critically and independently about contemporary politics of gender and sexuality in relation to religious communities and traditions.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students will:

1. Demonstrate advanced and sophisticated understanding of contemporary academic and public debates in relation to religion, gender and sexuality.
2. Critically evaluate content and scholarly research in the cross-disciplinary field of gender and sexuality, both theoretical and methodological, and be able to relate these to wider issues in the study of religions.
3. Develop skills in articulating and critically discussing key issues in this broad research field with peers and academic mentors.
3. To take a proactive role in planning and completing an independent investigation into a topic relating to the module content, including having the opportunity to design an original research question.

Skills outcomes
Ability to employ concepts and argumentative methods specific to religious studies and gender studies

Syllabus

- Examination of current scholarship in the field of religion, gender and sexuality and its current public significance.
- Introduction to feminist, postcolonial, post-secular and queer theoretical perspectives to religion, gender and sexuality.
- Introduction to the critical analysis of gender and sexuality in religious scriptures and communities as well as in (post-) secular societies.
- Discussion of critical issues with regard to religion, gender and sexuality, such as reproductive rights, female ordination, LGBT rights, homo- and heteronationalism etc.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Reading and note taking, preparation for seminar discussions, project design and planning, research (library based/empirical), drafting and re-drafting account of outcomes of research, preparation of material for meeting with academic tutor.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided in the seminars (which are discussion-based), in office hours (with either of the module leaders), and feedback on essay plans during office hours or via email.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	6,000 words	100.00
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: 20/09/2023

Disclaimer

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