- To introduce and review developments in social, cultural and philosophical theories of gender.
- To develop conceptual tools to understand and engage with feminist debates on gender, the body and identity.
- To examine a number of different and contrasting theoretical approaches which place gender, the body and identity at the centre of analysis: including feminist sociology, radical feminism, corporeal feminism, post-structural feminism, black feminism, queer theory and material feminism
- To evaluate the form and structure of feminist arguments on the meaning and experience of gender for understandings of the body and power.

(LO1) Have knowledge of recent developments in social, philosophical and cultural theories of gender.

(LO2) Have an in depth understanding of the conceptual tools which surround theories of gender, the body and identity.

(LO3) Understand the key points of overlap and critical tensions between and within structuralist, constructivist, post-structuralist and materialist feminist theoretical frameworks.

(LO4) Demonstrate the relationship between theory, analysis and interpretation and the skills associated with evaluation and presentation.

(S1) Competence in using feminist theory and the concepts relating to gender in order to understand the relationship between the body and identity

(S2) Appreciate the complexity and diversity of the ways in which gender is theorised, practiced and dealt with in society.

(S3) The ability to identify the most important conceptual arguments in a text and to discuss, address and develop theoretical accounts in group discussions.

(S4) Written skills, including the clear presentation of academic debates, and the student’s own arguments supported with evidence.

(S5) Critical thinking skills, including the ability to be evaluative with academic material relating to gender and draw appropriate conclusions.

1 . Introduction: an overview of contemporary feminist theory  
2. The sex/gender distinction
3. Corporeal feminism and the sexed body
4. The sex wars: pornography, gender and sexuality
5. Men, masculinity and embodiment
6. Femininity, Foucault and the docile body
7. Femininity, class and the gendered habitus
8. Black feminism and black beauty
9. Queer theory and gender performativity  
10. Emotional bodies and feminist politics
11. Summary: feminist theory

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Face to face
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Each week students will be taught key themes, topics and arguments in weekly 1 hour lectures. These will provide essential information about each topic covered, direct students to further independent readings and also provide a reading(s) and questions to be followed up in the seminars.

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Face to Face synchronous seminars, safety permitting
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: To follow on from the lecture material covered each week students will be taught in small groups in 1 hour weekly seminars. Here the lecture material will be developed further through critical discussions relating to the guided readings, seminar questions and visual teaching material. The purpose of the seminars are to ensure students have a sound grasp of the subject matter and know how to think critically about the theories, perspectives and debates they are de aling with.

Skill/Other Attribute 1:
"Critical thinking skills, including the ability to be evaluative with academic material relating to gender and draw appropriate conclusions."
How this is developed:
"Lectures, Seminars, Independent Study"

Skill/Other Attribute 2:
"Written skills, including the clear presentation of academic debates, and the student’s own arguments supported with evidence."
How this is developed:
"Lectures, Seminars, Independent Study"

Skill/Other Attribute 3:
"The ability to identify the most important conceptual arguments in a text and to discuss, address and develop theoretical accounts in group discussions. "
How this is developed:
"Lectures, Seminars, Independent Study"

Skill/Other Attribute 4:
"Appreciate the complexity and diversity of the ways in which gender is theorised, practiced and dealt with in society.

"
How this is developed:
"Lectures, Seminars, Independent Study"

Skill/Other Attribute 5:
"Competence in using feminist theory and the concepts relating to gender in order to understand the relationship between the body and identity

"
How this is developed:
"Lectures, Seminars, Independent Study"