UNDERSTANDING SEXUALITIES - 2023/4
Module code: SOCM074
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
KING Andrew (Sociology)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 118
Lecture Hours: 10
Seminar Hours: 10
Practical/Performance Hours: 2
Guided Learning: 10
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
This includes learning about:
- Scientific approaches to understanding sexuality
- Sociological approaches to understanding sexuality
- The relationship between sexuality and other social divisions
- The social organisation of and practice of sexuality in society, using a range of case studies
- Social control, power and resistance in relation to sexuality
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Critical Review of a piece of Sexualities literature | 40 |
| Coursework | Policy Brief | 40 |
| Oral exam or presentation | Presentation of Summary of Policy Brief | 20 |
Alternative Assessment
If unable to undertake the presentation, a 500 word executive summary of the policy brief can be submitted
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- A 1500 word Critical Review of Piece of Sexualities literature, chosen from a selection of essential readings weeks 2-6.
- A 2000 word policy brief, based around the topics of the workshops weeks 8-10
- A 10 minute recorded presentation, outlining the key points of the policy brief i.e a verbal executive summary
Formative assessment is provided through the optional submission of assignment plans
Feedback - is ongoing and provided during workshops, through informal submitted class exercises, in response to Discussion Board posts, in email correspondence and on formative assignment plans.
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
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Have a critical understanding of a wide range of theoretical perspectives, which seek to explain the origins, nature and regulation of human sexuality | CKPT |
| 002 | Understand the way in which sexuality interacts with other social divisions | CKPT |
| 003 | Have an understanding of the social organization of sexuality and the way this is enacted in a variety of social institutions | CKPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
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 and written formative feedback is given throughout.
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: SOCM074
Other information
None
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex, Gender and Sexualities MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
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.