* Modules

Gender, Power and Sexuality

   On this page
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   This module aims to introduce students to a rapidly expanding area of
   the social sciences - critical studies on gender and sexuality.
   Inspired by important recent and contemporary research in feminist
   studies, critical theories of masculinity, gender relations, lesbian
   and gay studies, and sexual politics, the module treats gender and
   sexuality as social constructions which need to be explored, analysed
   and understood in a critical way.

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   The module covers the following broad areas:
     * Gender, sexuality and history - theoretical foundations: `nature'
       versus `nurture', the history of sexualities, Foucault and
       feminism.
     * Modern sexualities and their meanings - hetero-, homo-, bi-, and
       lesbian sexualities in historical context. Sexuality and religion,
       class and race. Changes in medical and legal discourses.
     * Gender ideologies and gender regulation. Gender and power
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     * Selling sex - the commercialisation of sex and gender.
       Prostitution. Pornography. Popular culture and advertising.
     * Regulating sex and sexuality - the public policy agenda. Family
       policy. State responses to rape and sexual violence. Homosexual
       rights and the state.
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Intended Learning Outcomes

     * To get students thinking about the concepts of gender and sexuality
       in a critical, self-reflective way and thereby to increase their
       awareness of the relevance of gender and sexuality to a fuller
       understanding of the issues raised within political science and
       related disciplines
     * To demonstrate this through a exploration of how gender and
       sexuality condition ways in which people experience their presence
       in society, focusing on questions of power and knowledge
     * To broaden students' understanding of politics by analysing the
       extent to which public policy in key selected areas has been
       underpinned by assumptions about gender and sexuality

Recommended Text for purchase - advice from Richard Dunphy
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   Also very good to purchase, but not quite making it into the category
   of 'module text' because of its very broad range of topics is Richard
   Parker & Peter Aggleton (eds), Culture, Society and Sexuality: a
   Reader, second edition (Routledge 2007). This is a personal favourite
   of mine.
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     * Cordelia Fine., Delusions of Gender: the Real Science Behind Sex
       Differences (Icon Books, 2010)
     * Momin Rahman, & Stevi Jackson., Gender and Sexuality: Sociological
       Approaches (Polity Press, 2010)
     * Sylvia Walby., The Future of Feminism (Polity Press, 2011)