VICM2155 - Victorian Identities? Gender and Sexual Morality in the Victorian Age

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of aspects of gender and sexuality in Victorian Britain;
2 demonstrate a critical understanding of the relevant high-level theoretical approaches and historiography on the Victorians, gender and sexuality.
3 apply advanced theory and research methodologies to analyse primary sources on gender and Victorian sexuality;
4 demonstrate self-direction and originality in a sophisticated written argument that uses appropriate historical evidence (for example in the form of documents, literature, plays, art, illustrations and photographs), and engages with critical debates.

Content:

This module investigates Victorian identities as defined by contemporary ideals and experiences of gender and sexual morality. Sessions will include explorations of definitions of both femininity and masculinity during the Victorian period; consideration of socially constructed ideals such as the ‘double standard’ and ‘domestic ideology’. Students will engage in this by studying recent theoretical writings, Victorian texts and documents. There will be opportunity for students to develop their own interests by researching a topic of their own choice for the assignment for this module.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A variety of learning and teaching methods will be used. These include group discussions and debates based on reading and seminar questions; workshops on particular texts and theories; investigations of specific documents. Learning and teaching method

Seminars / workshops
Contact hours: 6 x 2 hours

Tutorials
Contact hours: 20 minutes per student

Additional assessment information
Any student wishing to upgrade their registration from this module to the corresponding extended module (VICM 2715) must obtain approval from the module tutor on the basis of a detailed proposal presented in week 6 of the module. Once they have upgraded their registration, they will not be required to present assessment for VICM 2155.

Assessment: