Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2020/21

• Module Leader(s): Dr Chris Haywood

• Owning School: Arts & Cultures
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Aims

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and interest in a wide range of issues and topics that surround sex, sexuality and desire. Furthermore, the module aims to encourage students to apply a critical literacy to explore the knowledge, meanings and understandings in this area.

Although this module is located within media and cultural studies, it draws upon a wide range of perspectives and disciplines to offer students the opportunity to explore the impact of cultural contexts on some of the more intimate and private aspects of our lives. More specifically, the module considers the ways that society, culture and individuals transform what we know, understand and experience as sex, sexuality and desire. At the core of the module is a question of whether the changes around sex, sexuality and desire are creating new possibilities of the erotic or are they simply reinforcing existing inequalities and differences that surround sex, sexuality and desire

Outline Of Syllabus

An introduction to sex, sexuality and desire; the history of sexuality; sexual research; female and male sexuality; sexuality and advertising; psychology and sex; sexual education; media representations of sexual deviance; global sex tourism; sexual technologies; erotic retail; contemporary sexual cultures.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module uses the lectures to map out the key theories and concepts that help us to understand the areas of sex, sexuality and desire. The lectures will also introduce students to the various approaches to sex, sexuality and desire. The lectures are delivered using a variety of methods. These include a range of resources, such as visualizers, PowerPoint, video and individual and group tasks. The students will be required to have undertaken a range of preparatory tasks to facilitate the interactive character of these sessions. These tasks will form part of their assessment.

This module also uses practicals strategically to engage students in their assessment task. In other words, as well as helping students think through themes and issues, they also have a tangible objective.

At various times throughout the course, films will be used to identify and explore the key themes that are being discussed throughout the module. These will be the basis of directed research. Film provides a number of different ways of viewing theory outside of traditional teaching forms. For example, films can provide unique ways of seeing through powerful ‘filmic’ statements conveyed by editing, production, angles and shots. There are a number of features of film including the metaphorical power of the film, wherein the theories and ideas are conveyed through areas such as plot, character, audio, script. The use of film also has a role to play informing lectures and seminars. Furthermore, it is a very inclusive method enabling students from a wide range of backgrounds to engage in discussion.

Each film will be prefaced by a short introduction by the lecturer. Students will be asked to identify a number of themes from the films and follow up some of the issues from the lectures. These can also be used as points of guidance for their assessments.

For independent study, the students will be encouraged to read a range of academic texts. These texts will consider historical approaches to the study of sexual behaviour that include pre-historic, pre-modern, modern and post-modern societies, cultures and identities. Students will also be asked to investigate studies from a range theoretical perspectives. These include: medicine, psychoanalysis, sexology, feminism, gay/lesbian studies, Marxism, interactionism, post-structuralism and queer theory. It is also anticipated that students will be able to develop a sustained awareness of a particular area of sexual communication.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essay will allow students to research and write about a specific area of sex, sexuality and desire. It is anticipated that this work will offer a detailed analysis and understanding of a variety of approaches in this area. Students will be expected to choose an essay title that corresponds to items of the syllabus.

The practical reports enable continuous assessment to take place every three weeks. This will enable the module leader to evaluate student learning and strategically intervene to provide feedback on students developing knowledge and understanding.

The problem solving exercise is designed to encourage group discussion. The nature of the task facilitates development of students' knowledge and understanding of global sexual issues.

Reading Lists

• MCH2071's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• MCH2071's Timetable