Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Politics of Sex and Sexuality
School	Government
Department	Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code	08 35209
Module Lead	Emma Foster and Peter Kerr
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Sex and Sexuality has historically been overlooked in the disciplines of politics and international studies. While, since at least the 1960s, feminist and gay and lesbian scholarship has acknowledged the importance of sex and sexuality as an organizing factor in politics and policy making, the embeddedness of these regimes of power is only just being considered in more mainstream politics. Sex and sexuality not only informs political activisms, such as LGBTQ+ campaigns, but also shapes the very understanding of what constitutes the political. This module, then, will look at the history of the LGBTQ+ movement and how this movement has interacted with other movements and the State. Further the module will explore debates around legislation that overtly intersects with sex and sexuality (e.g. consent, pornography, reproductive health and decency laws) while also exploring the less explicit ways that (heteronormative) assumptions about sex and sexuality have informed policy making in a range of policy areas (such as environment, health and welfare). Finally, the module will discuss the context underpinning the politicization and depoliticization of sex and sexuality at particular historical moments.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Critically interrogate theories relevant to the politics of sex and sexuality (e.g. Sexology, Social Evolution, Queer Theory, Trans Studies etc). Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of sex and sexuality politics Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of the State in politicizing and depoliticizing sex and sexuality Apply relevant theories to, and demonstrate knowledge of, political issues that relate to sex and sexuality
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1000 word Research Paper Proposal (25%) and 2500 word Research Paper (75%) Reassessment by failed component
Other
Reading List