2025/26 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 2025/26

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. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.

Objectives

The module aims to equip you with advanced methodological and theoretical skills and tools to engage critically with contemporary academic and public debates regarding religion, gender and sexuality in relation to religious communities and traditions.

The module is taught via seminars which provide critical input and facilitate an interactive engagement with, and discussion about, the set topics and readings, with respect to achieving the above objectives.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:

1. Examine and evaluate key debates in the cross-disciplinary field of gender and sexuality.
2. Critically evaluate theoretical and methodological scholarly research relating to these debates.
3. Relate these debates to wider issues in the study of religions.
4. Plan and complete an independent investigation into a topic relating to the module content.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

5. Undertake independent research using library or online archives (Academic and Work Ready Skill).
6. Present their work in the academic style of scholarship in the discipline (Academic Skill).
7. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
8. Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought (Academic and Work Ready skill)

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

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

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete one piece of formative work which will receive written feedback. Students are given a choice of: essay plan; exposition of and critical response to an argument; literature review. This requires students to identify the type of feedback that will be of most value to them and so play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Coursework	Essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Students will submit an essay on a different topic.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/02/2025

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