Module Directory

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:

1. Understand the difference between lay theories (e.g., pop-psychology) and empirically based tests of social psychological theories of gender/sex, sexuality and relationships.


2. Describe the different ways in which social identity, self-expression and relationships shape, and are shaped by, self-concepts and situational factors.


3. Discuss topics and theories related to social psychological research in these areas and their implications for psychology, the self, and society.


4. Be actively engaged in learning.

This module includes four types of coursework due throughout the term: Learning Goals Assessment, Online Discussion Forum; Participation and Engagement; and, Advice Column.

The learning goal assessments include three short assessments due at the beginning, middle, and end of term. Students are asked to identify their goals at the beginning of term, reflect on their progress, and reflect on their goal attainment at the end of term.

The online discussion forum includes a total of 4 question prompts that change fortnightly. Students are randomly assigned to a team at the beginning of term with whom they discuss the question prompt and associated readings and lecture content.

The participation and engagement activity asks students to self-reflect over the course of the module on (a) the methods they used to prepare for the week’s content/activities, (b) how prepared they were for the week's content/activities, (c) how this preparation affected their engagement.

The advice column is a single paper that asks students to respond to two question prompts (on per module topic) set by the instructors. The tone of the paper should be accessible to a general audience but students must draw on a combination of the materials presented in class, assigned readings, and their own external research. This assessment provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the module content, as well as develop their scientific communication skills.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour lecture per week.

The lectures will consist of an introduction to each topic of the module. Lectures will be interspersed with brief videos highlighting specific topics or issues discussed in class. 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.