ATS3739 - Sex and gender in society - 2017

This unit explores how identities are developed and what role gender and sexuality play in this process. This unit introduces contemporary theoretical perspectives on the social construction of identity and on gender and sexuality as historical and social categories. These theoretical perspectives are applied to understanding and analysing everyday life and experience in a range of locations and periods. It examines the significance of understanding the formation of identity in context-sensitive ways, the intersection and construction of various social categories and their significance in political contexts.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1. identify relevant contemporary social theoretical perspectives on identity and critically assess the differences between them;
2. explain the social construction of gender and sexuality and identity formation;
3. analyse processes of identity formation in everyday life;
4. present an informed argument concerning the importance of gender and sexuality as social categories, and identify their sociological and political importance;
5. demonstrate proficiency in utilizing and integrating a variety of theoretical frameworks in analysing the social and political importance of gender, sexuality and identity as social categories in diverse societies.

Weekly quizzes (equiv. 1000 words): 30%

Assignment 1 (1500 words): 30%

Assignment 2 (2000 words): 40%

One 2-hour seminar per week

See also Unit timetable information

First-year arts sequence

ATS2739, SCY2818, SCY3818