PS511-6-SP-CO:
From Me to We: Understanding Gender, Sexuality and Romantic Relationships
2025/26
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
24 March 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
Our social identities, self-expression and relationships with others are a fundamental part of the human experience. This module will take a scientific approach to understanding gender, sex, sexuality, and intimate relationships, and consists of two parts.
In the first half of the module, we will examine how we come to understand our gender/sex and sexuality and how this influences our attitudes, behaviours, and interactions with others. We will also discuss stereotypes regarding sex/gender and sexuality and how these can perpetuate discrimination.
In the second half of the module, we will examine how relationships form, what binds them together, and what might lead to their dissolution. We will discuss how much of "me" we bring into our relationships compared to how much relationships change our sense of self. Finally, we will discuss what makes relationships such an important area of study: how they impact and influence our lives.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide an overview of the foundations of the psychological science of gender/sex, sexuality and romantic relationships;
- To provide students with the opportunity to explain, interpret, and evaluate systematic research, which means discussing findings that may not necessarily reflect views that people have about these topics based on past experience;
- To enhance critical thinking about these important aspects of human psychology;
- To enable students to express their own insights into these topics and be co-producers of learning in the classroom.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the difference between lay theories (e.g., pop-psychology) and empirically based tests of social psychological theories of gender/sex, sexuality and relationships.
- Describe the different ways in which social identity, self-expression and relationships shape, and are shaped by, self-concepts and situational factors.
- Discuss topics and theories related to social psychological research in these areas and their implications for psychology, the self, and society.
- Be actively engaged in learning.
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
- In-person lectures and pre-recorded online content.
Lectures will be interspersed with brief videos highlighting specific topics or issues raised in readings, pre-recorded materials, or for discussion. Lectures may also include break-out sessions where students will have the opportunity to discuss the assigned readings in small groups, and as a class.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Preparation and Engagement |
|
5% |
| Coursework |
Learning Goals |
|
5% |
| Coursework |
Online Discussion Forum |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Advice Column |
24/04/2026 |
75% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Veronica Lamarche, email: v.lamarche@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Veronica Lamarche
v.lamarche@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Psychology
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