| CODE | SOC2124 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Gender: A Sociological Exploration | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sociology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces students to foundational concepts in the study of gender and sexuality, informed by key relevant sociological theories about gender and sexuality, across time and space. It looks at the multifaceted concept of gender in the light of contemporary gender theories and explores this highly malleable phenomenon, which though socially defined, is simultaneously an ongoing personal experience. It questions how and why gender has become an important organising principle, around which we build our identity, and how it is an integral part of how we identify ourselves and others. It critically engages with questions of how gender impacts lives, bodies, and sexualities by analysing the complex relationship of gender, sex and sexuality and questioning the gender binary. Study-Unit Aims: - To introduce students to the main sociological perspectives and the key sociological theories and concepts underpinning the field of gender and sexuality that allow an exploration of gender and sexuality through different times and different societies. - To critically examine the social construction of gender and sexuality in a global context and how gender and sexuality intersect with ethnicity, social class, age, disability, and other factors, thus operating as a stratification system. - To think critically about the complexity of gender and sexuality in society by analysing contemporary issues and debates in an informed manner. - To explore the impact of gender and sexuality on lived experiences. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate understanding/comprehension of key theoretical concepts in relation to gender and sexuality. - Explain how gender and sexuality permeate society and intersect with ethnicity, social class, age, disability, and other factors. - Critically analyse theories of gender and sexuality within their historical and cultural context. - Effectively compare key arguments of different theorists and their understanding of gender. - Explore gendered lived experiences in different contexts to better understand the impact that ideas about gender may have in everyday life. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyse the complexities of gender and sexuality as a socially constructed practice and how gender and sexuality intersect with ethnicity, class, religion, and other factors respectively. - Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of relevant sociological theory to the field of gender and sexuality and the ability to clearly articulate arguments around gender, sexuality, and society. - Critically analyse contemporary debates and issues around gender and sexuality in class discussions and draw on relevant sociological theory to address such debates. - Reflect on how one’sunderstanding of gender is shaped through various social contexts. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Ryle, R. (2021). Questioning gender: A sociological exploration (4th ed). SAGE Publications, Inc. - Fitzgerald, K. J., & Grossman, K. (2021). Sociology of sexualities (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. Supplementary Texts: - Oakley, A. (2016). Sex, Gender and Society. Routledge. - Pilcher, J., & Whelehan, I. (2017). Key Concepts in Gender Studies. (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Roberta Scerri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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