ENG5732 - Constructions of Gender

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge and critical appreciation of a range of works, by women and men, in different genres;
demonstrate understanding of the ways in which gender may be constructed in writing;
demonstrate understanding of some of the key debates concerning literature and gender and language and gender;
demonstrate understanding of the impact of social, cultural, and economic contexts on the construction of gender in literary works;
apply key theories concerning language and gender to the critical study of a selection of texts.

Content:

This course will give students the opportunity to engage in some of the debates about gender which literary critics and literary theorists have raised. The course will introduce students to a range of different critical perspectives on gender: Anglo-American feminist approaches; recent developments in feminism; masculinities; gay and lesbian studies and queer theory; French feminism; and gender performativity and gender crossing. Students will also have the opportunity to read selected texts in the light of these theories, and to reflect on the wider social values and relevance of gender theory.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The sessions of this course will lead students from tutor-directed learning towards student-centred learning. The sessions in the first part will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor and exercises and discussions among the students. In the second part, the focus will shift towards student contributions and informal seminar presentations, in preparation for an assessed presentation at the end of the semester.

Workshops
Contact hours: 30
intended Group size: 25

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
The presentation would require students to relate course theories to ‘real-world’ situations. Students would be encouraged to use role-play and PowerPoint as appropriate.

Other relevant matters
Students would have the opportunity to send brief essay plans for comment. Sessions in weeks 7 and 8 would be devoted to preparing the presentations, including an opportunity to rehearse.

Assessment: