Unit information: Youth, Sexualities and Gendered Violence in 2014/15

Unit name	Youth, Sexualities and Gendered Violence
Unit code	SPOL22023
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Aghtaie
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit considers sexuality and gendered violence in relation to young people. The unit includes discussions of: Definitions of Sexuality and Violence; Young People, Relationship and Violence; Sexuality, Ethnicity and Religion; Lads Mags to Pornography; Identity and Embodiment concentrating on the theories of Foucault, Lacan,; Intersectionality; Masculinity; -; Heteronormativity; Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation; Sexuality, Reproductive Coercion and Risk; The objectives of this unit are to develop students’ awareness and knowledge of:

• theoretical understandings of the relationship between sexual identity and notions of self;

• critically evaluating representations of sex and sexuality and how they impact on young people;

• the impact of gendered violence on young people and wider society.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By studying this unit, students will be expected to:

• Critically engage with academic debates;

• Engage in informed group discussions;

• Relate their own understandings to a range of academic literatures;

• Engage in presentations of topic material in the unit.

Teaching Information

This unit will be taught via lectures, seminars and guided individual study. The seminars will include presentations by students, group discussion and various exercises designed to enhance the teaching and learning of the topics covered.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment: Essay – maximum 2,000 words (chosen from a list of titles)

Summative assessment: 3hr examination.

Reading and References

• Burman, M, and F. Cartmel (2005) Young Peoples Attitudes Towards Gendered Violence. Edinburgh: NHS Health Scotland.

• Connell, R.W. (1995) Masculinities. University of California Press: California. Chpt 3 ‘The Social Organisation of Masculinity’

• Coleman, J. and D. Roker (1998) Teenage Sexuality: Health, Risk and Education. London: Routledge.

• Frosh, S., Phoenix, A. and R. Pattman (2002) Young Masculinities. Hampshire: Palgrave.

• Holland, J., Ramazanoglu, C., Sharpe, S. and R. Thomson (1998) The Male in the Head: Young People, Heterosexuality and Power. London: Tufnell.

• Jackson, S. and S. Scott (1996) Feminism and Sexuality: A Reader. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

• Weeks, J. (1990) Sexualities. London: Routledge.