SOCIOL 735 : Current Debates in Gender and Sexuality

Arts

2023 Semester Two (1235) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Traces contemporary sociological debates in the analysis of gender and sexuality. This includes reference to feminist concerns with identities, differences, bodies, power and agency. These issues are taken up and explored through an examination of practices enacted on/or through sexed bodies.

Course Overview

This course combines theoretical and empirical work on the contemporary sociology of gender and sexuality to address the ever-changing understanding of the relationship between genders, the relationships between gender and sexuality, the most appropriate methods and theories to use in studying gender and sexuality, and particular cultural practices that produce our knowledge about - and material experiences of - gender and sexuality in day-to-day life. 
 
Gender and sexuality organise social life, institutional practices and individual relationships. They are premised upon and structured by relations of inequality and difference vis-à-vis class, race, nation, religion and other significant identity markers, embodiments, and institutional positions. Our conversations will traverse these terrains of material life as we read contemporary social theorists and researchers trying to grapple with the doing and renegotiating  of gender and sexual categories and practices.  
 
Student Learning Objectives 
 
On completion of this course, students will be able to: 
 
  •     Explain the key sociological literatures and debates surrounding the status of gender and sexuality, as well as the relationships between gender and sexuality, as both identities and practices 
  •     Analyse strengths and weaknesses in the main theories of gender and sexuality, singly and in relation to each other 
  •     Apply these theories in a specific area of sociological inquiry that they have chosen to research 
  •     Conduct postgraduate level, independent research on a topic of their own choosing 
  •     Present their research orally and in writing 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the key sociological literatures and debates surrounding the status of gender and sexuality, as well as the relationships between gender and sexuality, as both identities and practices (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1)
  2. Analyse strengths and weaknesses in the main theories of gender and sexuality, singly and in relation to each other (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  3. Apply sociological theories of gender and sexuality to a chosen area of inquiry (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 6.3)
  4. Present and discuss reflections on others' work as well as one's independent research (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 100% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

This course meets once per week for 3 hours of seminar. 

Students are expected to come to seminars prepared to discuss the readings and their responses to them. The remaining 17 hours per week will be spent reading, writing analyses to share with others (in nominated weeks), and doing independent research for your research projects throughout the semester. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Postgraduate seminars are interactive, discussion-based learning environments. Attendance is expected at all course meetings. 

Seminars will not be recorded.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The course is regularly revised to account for new research and feedback from previous semesters.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 02/11/2022 10:44 a.m.