Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context

The course aims to give in-depth, critical knowledge of a problematic, tradition or body of work within interdisciplinary gender studies as a transnational field. The module offers a contextualised, theoretically informed approach to reading critical theory, while also developing close reading skills through attention to the form and language of the selected texts. Students are encouraged to read widely to develop their awareness of historical and contemporary political, aesthetic, theoretical and cultural debates in a global context, and may expect to cover a wide range of texts from gender studies, queer and feminist theories, postcolonial theory, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, history and philosophy.

The aims and objectives of the course are

- To critically examine a diverse range of material with the attention to the tradition out of which they have emerged and from which they may diverge.

- To explore the socio-political and theoretical formation of gender, sexuality, otherness and difference in a global context.

- To improve on critical thinking skills by engaging with key contemporary theorists, whose focus may include gender, sexuality, class, disability, race and nation, and by gaining a better understanding of the histories that inform the present moment of globalization.

- To develop skills that are transferable to other modules and essential to future employability, including: teamworking, argumentation, time-management, presentation and project management

Knowledge:

The candidate...

has knowledge and understanding of the historical, political and cultural contexts of a specific field of research, tradition or body of work within interdisciplinary gender studies in a global context;

is able to demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, issues and conceptual framework to the study of gender and sexuality in a global context.

Skills:

The candidate...

can apply key concepts, issues and conceptual frameworks within gender studies to other theoretical and cultural contexts and analyze them in a global context;

can demonstrate a capacity to collate, synthesise andevaluate critical and theoretical resources, and is able to apply critical reading skills to this material

General competence:

The candidate...

has developed and consolidated an ability to work in collaboration with others and to communicate clearly, coherently and effectively in group situations;

is able to produce written pieces of work that follow stipulated criteria and that are fluent and critically engaging;

has developed confidence in public speaking and in presenting to peers, and nurtured an ability to assess one¿s own needs