This module will examine the culturally and socially varied meanings attached to being female or male in contemporary society and the outcome of being assigned to one or the other gender within concrete social practices. It will focus on the processes of change and development in the position of women and men in society.

·         To identify and scrutinise different theoretical perspectives with respect to gender divisions in society

·         To explore the social organisation of gender relations in key institutions in society

• To explore issues relating to gender, social control, power and resistance

Having completed this module, students should be able to:

·         Have a critical understanding of a wide range of theoretical perspectives, which seek to explain the social construction and organisation of gender.

·         Understand the way in which gender interacts with other social divisions.

·         Have a theoretical and empirical understanding of the social organisation of gender relations within a contemporary context

·         Conceptualisation of femininity and masculinity

·         Feminist theory, theorising masculinity

·         Gender and other social divisions

·         Social organisation of gender: childhood, education and training, the family and employment

• Formal and informal political representation of women and men

11 x 2 hour sessions consisting of both lecture and seminar discussion

P. Abbott, C. Wallace & M. Tyler (2005) An Introduction to Sociology: Feminist Perspectives, Routledge.

J. Butler (2005) Gender Troubles. Routledge Classics.

N. Charles (2002) Gender in Modern Britain, Open University Press

R.W. Connell  (2005) Masculinities, Polity Press

M. Mac an Ghaill (ed.) (1996) Understanding Masculinities, Open University Press