UNDERSTANDING SEXUALITIES - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module, will examine the sociological understanding of human sexuality. It begins with a critical analysis of the various theoretical approaches to the study of sexuality, and the implications they contain for our understanding of the origin, nature and regulation of human sexuality. Building on this theoretical understanding the remainder of the course will explore the culturally and socially varied ways in which sexual desire and its resultant identities have been conceptualised, deployed and regulated in a variety of social institutions and practices Overview This module will examine understandings of human sexuality emanating from a range of perspectives. It begins with a critical analysis of various scientific approaches to the study of sexuality, and the implications they contain for our understanding of the origin, nature and regulation of human sexuality. It contrasts these to sociological approaches, before the remainder of the module explores the culturally and socially varied ways in which sexuality has been conceptualised, deployed and regulated in a range of social institutions and practices.

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

HALL Matthew (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

·         Scientific approaches to understanding sexuality

·         Sociological approaches to understanding sexuality

·         The relationship between sexuality and other social divisions

·         Understanding the social organisation of and practice of sexuality in society, with a range of case studies

·         Social  control, power and resistance in relation to sexuality

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

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Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate





Learning Outcome


Assessed by




Have a critical understanding of a wide range of theoretical perspectives, which seek to explain the origins, nature and regulation of human sexuality


Formatively through class discussions/activities. Summatively by critical review




Understand the way in which sexuality interacts with other social divisions.


Formatively through class discussions/activities.

Summatively through critical review and policy brief report




Have an understanding of the social organization of sexuality and the way this is enacted in a variety of social institutions


Formatively through class discussions/activities.

Summatively through critical review and policy brief report





Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

·         a critical review of a piece of Sexualities literature

·         a policy brief report

Formative assessment and feedback

Students are encouraged to undertake preparatory reading, using set questions and to engage in peer review and feedback during classroom discussion. All questions are then discussed in formative group feedback between lecturer and students.

Students also have the opportunity to produce both formative critical review and policy brief report plans prior to submission of these assessments and to discuss these plans with the lecturer. Classroom time is devoted to discussion and feedback concerning how to undertake these assignments.

Module aims

• To identify and scrutinise different approaches to the social construction of sexuality in society
• To explore the social organisation, regulation and practice of sexuality in key institutions in society
• To explore issues relating to sexuality, social control, power and resistance

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Convey key information to students through the use of interactive lectures, classroom discussions based on preparatory reading and film/TV/internet clips which acts as the focus for activities and discussion. Verbal formative feedback is given throughout.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 12 x 2 hour sessions consisting of both lecture and seminar discussion

• Weekly reading and seminar preparation

• Formative essay plan (0%)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC3083

Other information

N/A

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.