BASS Philosophy and Criminology / Course details

This course examines concepts relating to gender and sexuality, and we discuss the obsession with gendering in a historical, social, and cultural context. Topics for discussion also include: the sex/gender system; gender and sexuality in relation to identity, behaviour, the body and desire. Questions include: to what extent are the characteristics of masculinity and femininity born with us, or to what extent do the makers of gender vary over time and between societies? Is sexuality innate of socially constructed or a combination of the two?

The course explores how gender and sexuality are theorised and how gender and sexuality categories affect everyday experiences. The course begins by looking at basic concepts – ‘essentialism’ and ‘determinism’ – (lecture 1) that appear throughout the module, We then move onto critical examination of the historical development of expert knowledge about sex, gender and sexuality or ‘sex science’ (known as ‘sexology’) and also consider some psychoanalytic theories about gender and sexuality (lectures 2 and 3). After this, the work of Michel Foucault on the ‘historical’ construction of sexuality, and the part of expert knowledge in this, will be examined (week 4) We will then examine theories of gender/sexuality that have roots in 1960/70s ‘liberation’ politics – the women’s movement and lesbian/gay movement (week 5). The focus of enquiry subsequently shifts to the implications of Foucaultian, feminist and lesbian ideas for ‘difference theory’ - that explores in particular Queer and intersections theory (week 6). We then return (week 7) to examine structural dynamic ideas about how masculinities and femininities are implicated in contemporary ‘regimes’ of gendered sexuality, and reconstructionist ideas about intimacy and homonormativity to consider contemporary gendered and sexual transformations (Week 8). In week 9 we look at the ways in which the possibilities now open for same-sex marriage are indicative of the extent to which sexual citizenship has been achieved (week 9). The final session (lecture 10) and final tutorial are crucial because they recap key theories and concepts in a way that is designed to maximise your success in the end of course examination.

On completing the module, successful students will

1.    have developed a critical understanding of a variety of approaches to understanding the construction of gender and sexuality;

2.    be able to explain accurately and analyse a set of concepts and theories relating to the construction of and transformation of gender and sexuality;

be capable of demonstrating their in-depth knowledge of substantive areas covered on the course as well as their ability to apply concepts and theories, and to critically evaluate and analyse ideas about construction and transformation of gender and sexuality.

Weekly 2-hour lecture/workshop and weekly 1-hour tutorial

All sociology courses include both formative feedback – which lets you know how you’re getting on and what you could do to improve – and summative feedback – which gives you a mark for your assessed work.

Beasley C (2003) Gender and Sexuality: Critical Theories. Critical Thinkers, London: Sage.  Available online via Library Catalogue

Cranny-Francis A et al (eds) (2003) Gender Studies: Terms and Debates, London: Palgrave. 

Jackson, S. (2010) Theorizing Sexuality. Maidenhead: McCraw-Hill. Available online via Library Catalogue.

Weeks, J. (2009) Sexuality. London: Routledge.  Available online via Library Catalogue.

For the broader theoretical context in which gender and sexuality should be understood, see:

Heaphy, B. (2007) Late Modernity and Social Change: Reconstructing Social and Personal Life. London: Routledge. (especially chapters on Identity and Relationships] Available online via Library Catalogue.

•             One assessed presentation (5 minute talk plus visual aids to be handed in) worth 15% of the mark

•             Coursework essay 1500 words worth 35% of the mark

•             One two-hour unseen examination (or online equivalent) to be taken at the end of the course worth 50% of the total mark

•             Evidence of tutorial preparation (up to 500 words) for every tutorial week 2 –week 9 inclusive (failure to do so will result in a penalty deduction of 1% from your overall course mark per week, up to a maximum of 5%). Formative feedback will be provided on one set of tutorial preparation notes, as selected by the student.