Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1 To acquaint students with the concept of biopolitics.

2 To equip students with knowledge of feminist and postcolonial critiques of biopolitics.

3 To provide students with the skills to examine the biopolitical formation of the categories of sex, sexuality, gender and race.

4 To develop the ability of students to critically analyse sexual and racial biopolitics in contemporary society.

Outline Of Syllabus

The French thinker Michel Foucault used the concept of 'biopolitics' to describe the underlying mode of power in modernity as one focused around the question of life. By following Foucault's move of placing sexuality at the heart of the biopolitical, this module explores the historical emergence and contemporary forms of biopolitics from a feminist perspective. How is the production of sex difference and sexuality central to biopolitics? How are they tied to the production of racial categories? How do they underpin the arrangements of power in liberal democracies, and how do sexual and racial biopolitics operate today in various contexts? To answer these questions, the module analyses the sexual and racial workings of biopolitics both theoretically and empirically in relation to various historical and political contexts from the Enlightenment to colonialism, fascism, the welfare state, globalisation and neoliberalism, and through diverse issues such as reproduction, eugenics, citizenship, migration, political economy, global health, development and the non-human.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will:

1 Have sound knowledge of the key historical and conceptual elements of biopolitics.

2 Demonstrate understanding of feminist and postcolonial critiques of biopolitics.

3 Have knowledge of the historical and biopolitical formation of the modern concepts of sex, sexuality, race and gender.

4 Have developed a good understanding of the workings of contemporary biopolitics.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will have gained the ability to:

1 Think critically and conceptually about the biopolitical underpinnings of various political phenomena.

2 Use the concepts relating to the study of biopolitics by applying them to contemporary contexts.

3 Conduct research on biopolitics by independently planning and writing a final essay.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The seminar format enables the students to actively engage in critical discussions around the core theoretical, conceptual and empirical problems of the module. For instruction and guidance, seminars will feature short presentations by the module leader, both before and in between seminar discussions. Discussions are designed to cultivate collaboration and peer learning through group discussions and presentations in addition to class discussions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The 4000 word research paper assesses the students' ability to comprehend, engage with, and apply the concepts and theories of biopolitics in conjunction with feminist and postcolonial scholarship. Students will be required to show both a sound grasp of these theoretical frameworks and an ability to apply them successfully by examining a case of contemporary biopolitics.

A zero weighted research proposal of 500 words will support the paper writing process by encouraging students to plan and research their research paper early on.

General Notes

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