School Of Social SciencesGenders and sexualities: beyond the binaryWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 102733.1
Discipline: GENDER SPECIFIC STUDIES
Student Contribution Band: 4
Level: 3
Credit Points: 10
Prerequisite
101551 Understanding Society
Unit Enrolment Restrictions
Successful completion of 80 credit points.
About this Unit
This unit encourages students to critically reflect on how their own identities and experiences of genders and sexualities are shaped by broader social practices that define what is natural and what is normal. The unit focuses on two substantive topics: the body and institutions. Bodies are usually understood through biological explanations of gender and sexuality. However, this unit will consider how the body is shaped by the social discourses and practices through which genders and sexualities are produced. The unit investigates how age, race, class and ability are coded differently in terms of gender and sexuality. Institutions - families, schools, workplaces and religions - will be studied as sites where genders and sexualities may be observed but also produced and negotiated.