MCH2071 : Sex, Sexuality and Desire
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Chris Haywood
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and interest in a wide range of issues and topics that surround sex, sexuality and desire. Fundamentally, the module aims to encourage students to apply a critical literacy to explore the knowledge, meanings and understandings in this area.
The module is likely to include a number of themes but is not limited to: erotic retail, BDSM, advertising, sex tourism, sex addiction, sex and technology, sex crime, recreational sex, fetishes, history of sex, the psychology of sex.
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 sexual possibilities or are they simply reinforcing existing inequalities and differences that have traditionally shaped sex, sexuality and desire.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will normally explore, but may not be limited to the following themes: introduction to sex, sexuality and desire, sexual psychology, sex research, sexuality and technology, media representations of sexual deviance, global sex tourism, contemporary sexual cultures
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Present-in-person on-campus lectures. Can be delivered online if necessary. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Non-synchronous online lecture materials |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 79:00 | 79:00 | Preparation time for the Portfolio and Essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 27:00 | 27:00 | Reading associated with the weekly themes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | On-campus seminars. Can be delivered online if necessary. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Specific documentaries to watch in preparation for the on-campus seminars. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | End-of-module support for the assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 54:00 | 54:00 | Reading and note-taking |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module involves different styles of teaching and learning in order to deliver the learning outcomes. The delivery of the module is based on the delivery of two-hour lectures. Supporting materials in the shape of the non-synchronous learning Sways will be provided to students fortnightly. These learning Sways may be supported by a number of different present-in-person activities that could include exploring reactions to videos, worksheet learning, unstructured drop-ins, creative practice and designing research projects. Not only are these designed to enhance student learning and reinforcement of the key ideas, themes and issues, the present-in-person activity designed to support students with the development of their portfolio assessment. The module will also offer focused support by offering an online drop-in session that will be scheduled at the end of the module. Finally, the first three weeks provide the scaffolding for further, in-depth, discussion of sex, sexuality and desire. The module then requires students to watch a number of documentaries. These documentaries are required viewing in advance of the on-campus seminars. These documentaries will enable students to develop confidence and background understanding of a number of the themes being discussed on the module.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | A | 60 | Essay, 2000 words |
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 40 | A collation of four components: Research Plan; Interview schedule; Advert design; Newspaper analysis |
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 portfolio will enable students to build up a body of work that will enable the module leader to evaluate student learning and strategically intervene to provide feedback on students' developing knowledge and understanding.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH2071's Timetable