Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit explores from a sociological perspective how identities are developed and what role gender and sexuality play in this process. This unit introduces various contemporary theoretical perspectives on the social construction of identity and on gender and sexuality as historical and social categories. A specific focus is on the application of the theoretical perspectives to understanding and analysing everyday life and experience. The unit examines the significance of understanding the formation of identity in context-sensitive ways and in the intersection of various social categories.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will:

1. be able to identify the major contemporary social theoretical perspectives on identity and critically assess the differences between them;
2. have gained an understanding of the social construction of gender and sexuality, and how that intersects with identity formation;
3. have gained an ability to analyse processes of identity formation in everyday life;
4. have gained skills in the presentation of a written academic argument, including the ways in which sociologists acknowledge the ideas of other writers;
5. Third year students will be expected to demonstrate a greater depth of comprehension and higher levels of analytical skill than second year students.

Assessment

Written work: 100%

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Sociology

Prerequisites

Two second-year sociology units