SC291-5-AU-CO:
Sociology of Sexualities
2019/20
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2019
Saturday 14 December 2019
15
16 May 2019
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
SC101, SC107
(none)
The module will explore changes in sexual equality in recent decades, including developments in social opportunities for lesbian and gay people in Western societies. The 'Sociology of Sexuality' is focused mainly on the exploration of non-normative or 'transgressive' sexualities and ways of being. During the course, we will also look at the role played by cultural representations in the construction and negotiation of sexual identities in the West and we will see how in mass mediated societies the visual field is the privileged terrain for the critical study and articulation of homosexual politics of visibility. Finally, the module considers the rise in the 'sexualisation' of culture and its implications for the study and theorising of sexuality and visual culture more widely.
This module aims to introduce students to a broad range of studies that explore contemporary sexual identities, rights and visual culture.
To gain an insight into sociology of sexualities.
Overview of lecture topics:
Theories and approaches to the study of intimate life; Sexing and gendering visual culture; Cross-cultural images of same-sex behaviours; Homosexualities in Western culture and history; Gay politics: becoming visible; Sexual communities and cultures; Diseased sexualities: the challenges of HIV and AIDS; Sexual identities in conflict; Out of the representational closet; Gay liberation and beyond: some ideas for the future.
The course will be taught in the format of a weekly lecture followed by a class.
- (2016) Introducing the new sexuality studies, Abingdon: Routledge.
- Plummer, Kenneth. (c2003) Intimate citizenship: private decisions and public dialogues, Seattle: University of Washington Press.
- (2012) Understanding global sexualities: new frontiers, Abingdon: Routledge. vol. Sexuality, culture and health series
- Brickell, Chris. (2000-06) 'Heroes and Invaders: Gay and Lesbian pride parades and the public/private distinction in New Zealand media accounts', in Gender, Place & Culture. vol. 7 (2) , pp.163-178
- Lyons, Andrew P.; Lyons, Harriet. (2011) Sexualities in anthropology: a reader, Malden, Mass: Wiley-Blackwell. vol. Blackwell Anthologies in Social and Cultural Anthropology
- Gilbert Herdt. (1994) 'Notes and Queries on Sexual Excitement in Sambia Culture', in Etnofoor: Stichting Etnofoor., pp.25-41
- Paasonen, Susanna; Nikunen, Kaarina; Saarenmaa, Laura. (2007) Pornification: sex and sexuality in media culture, Oxford: Berg.
- Richardson, Diane; Seidman, Steven. (2002) Handbook of lesbian and gay studies, London: SAGE.
- Puar, Jasbir K. (c2007) Terrorist assemblages: homonationalism in queer times, Durham: Duke University Press. vol. Next wave
- Mepschen, Paul; Duyvendak, Jan Willem; Tonkens, Evelien H. (2010-10) 'Sexual Politics, Orientalism and Multicultural Citizenship in the Netherlands', in Sociology. vol. 44 (5) , pp.962-979
- Watney, Simon. (1987-24) 'The Spectacle of AIDS', in October. vol. 43, pp.71-
- Lisa M. Walker. (1993) 'How to Recognize a Lesbian: The Cultural Politics of Looking like What You Are', in Signs. vol. 18 (4) , pp.866-890
- Abelove, Henry; Barale, Michèle Aina; Halperin, David M. (1993) The Lesbian and gay studies reader, New York: Routledge.
- Mattson, Greggor. (2015-12) 'Style and the value of gay nightlife: Homonormative placemaking in San Francisco', in Urban Studies. vol. 52 (16) , pp.3144-3159
- Weeks, Jeffrey. (2016) Coming out: the emergence of LGBT identities in Britain from the nineteenth century to the present, London: Quartet Books Limited.
- Attwood, F. (2006-02-01) 'Sexed Up: Theorizing the Sexualization of Culture', in Sexualities. vol. 9 (1) , pp.77-94
- (2016) Introducing the new sexuality studies, New York: Routledge.
- Herman, D. (2005-02-01) ''I'm Gay': Declarations, Desire, and Coming Out On Prime-Time Television', in Sexualities. vol. 8 (1) , pp.7-29
- Weeks, Jeffrey. (1977) Coming out: homosexual politics in Britain, from the nineteenth century to the present, London: Quartet Books.
- Yue, A. (2008-02-01) 'Gay Asian Sexual Health in Australia: Governing HIV/AIDS, Racializing Biopolitics and Performing Conformity', in Sexualities. vol. 11 (1-2) , pp.227-244
- Warner, M. (no date) Introduction: Fear of a Queer Planet.
- Jaspal, Rusi; Williamson, Iain. (2017-05-02) 'Identity management strategies among HIV-positive Colombian gay men in London', in Culture, Health & Sexuality., pp.1-15
- Gill, R. (2009-04-01) 'Beyond the 'Sexualization of Culture' Thesis: An Intersectional Analysis of 'Sixpacks', 'Midriffs' and 'Hot Lesbians' in Advertising', in Sexualities. vol. 12 (2) , pp.137-160
- Sullivan, Nikki. (c2003) A critical introduction to queer theory, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Binnie, Jon; Klesse, Christian. (2013-08) '‘Like a Bomb in the Gasoline Station’: East–West Migration and Transnational Activism around Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Politics in Poland', in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. vol. 39 (7) , pp.1107-1124
- Brown, Gavin. (2009-06) 'Thinking beyond Homonormativity: Performative Explorations of Diverse Gay Economies', in Environment and Planning A. vol. 41 (6) , pp.1496-1510
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 24hr during Summer (Main Period)
|
Additional coursework information
Please note that assessment information is currently showing for 2018-19 and will be updated in August 2019
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
Prof Roisin Ryan-Flood, email: rflood@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Róisín Ryan-Flood
Jane Harper, Undergraduate Administrator, email: socugrad@essex.ac.uk, telephone: 01206 873052
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Jennifer Fleetwood
Goldsmiths, University of London
Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Available via Moodle
Of 46 hours, 20 (43.5%) hours available to students:
26 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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