module specification

This module explores the ways in which gender and sexual inequalities and violence reproduce through policies and practices impacting social structures and institutions, such as family, work environment, health system, education, criminal law, the welfare state, and media. Drawing on transnational and intersectional perspectives, this module looks to how the lack of gender perspective exacerbates inequalities and dynamics of violence in several contexts, such as education, migration, media and health. To this end, this module traces feminist debates concerning women’s and men’s role and under-representation in politics, policies and practices perpetuating dynamics of violence against women (domestic violence, femicide) and/or the criminalisation of homosexuals in several hotspots. With a focus on the global, this module offers new perspectives on the political process, both formal and informal, impacting women and sexual minorities and sheds light on the way that gender power is unevenly distributed in global society.

The aims of the module are to:

• Critically analyse how gender and sexual inequalities reproduce in policies and practices in global hotspots.
• Address how discriminatory policies and practices impact all spheres of life, including family, work environment, health system, education, criminal law, the welfare state, and media in several global settings.
• Understand how under-representation of women and sexual minorities in politics perpetuate dynamics of violence against women and the criminalisation of homosexuals in several hotspots.
• Consider the intersections between gender and sexuality and class, racial and ethnic inequalities in the study of gender perspective in politics.

Available for Study Abroad? YES

This module will first recap key concepts and theories of gender and sexuality. You will then look to specific ways in which gendered politics and/or the lack of gender perspective impact the lives of people. Drawing on an intersectional and transnational perspective, you will then be introduced to the criminalisation of homosexuality in several. From there you will get understanding of the main debates regarding the legalisation of sex work and how this reflects wider political debates on for example, the policies of control and containment of women bodies. You will also get understanding of how policies and political discourse frame reproductive rights and technologies, and the role of women in education and politics. Finally, you will look at the impact of traditional approaches to gender and sexuality leading to feminicide and sexual violence in transitional and complex settings, e.g. the borders.

Learning and teaching will develop in weekly three-hour face-to-face sessions, comprised of a weekly lecture followed by exercises and reflexive discussion in seminars. Seminars will be informed by reading and seminar questions for discussion in small groups and with the whole class.

Learning will be supported by the module Weblearn site with all teaching materials – reading, video materials, recorded lectures and assessment details. Students will use a variety of teaching materials, including a wide range of relevant research, including reports, newspaper articles, video materials and links to relevant web sites.This module will encourage students to reflect on their views on gendered politics and the policies of gender and sexuality and to critically analyse knowledge in a reflective way, seeking to make linkages and deepen their understanding. Reflective activities will be encouraged through class-based activities, including debate and discussion on the themes explained.

Lecture notes and seminar exercises will be uploaded prior the session and will be used as the initial basis for addressing a theme. Yet, students will be encouraged to go beyond these prior each session to make the most of it. Moreover, students will be advised to engage fully with feedback opportunities on both assessments which will help them reflect and develop their learning.

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

• LO1 Identify how gender and sexual inequalities endure through policies and practices in global settings
• LO2 Understand how the lack of gender perspective impact the lives of women in all spheres of life
• LO3 Critically evaluate how gendered politics perpetuate dynamics of violence against women and LGBTIQ+
• LO4: Demonstrate an understanding the intersections between gender and sexual inequalities with class, racial and ethnic inequalities

There are two pieces of coursework for this module.

1. Summative  (20%) – write a 800-words Case Study Plan OR Essay Plan reflecting and evaluating key concepts and theories related to gendered politics and the policies of gender and sexuality in global settings. This will serve as the first step for your final assessment. The title of this piece must be chosen from the reading list uploaded to Weblearn. Your case study plan or essay plan need to be uploaded via Turnitin.
2. Summative (80%) – write a 2,500 word Case Study OR Essay which requires students to critically consider a contemporary debate or issue related to the content explained in class. Students can choose their theme from a list of essays uploaded in Weblearn.

The assessment criteria for the Case Study OR Essays will be discussed in detail in class. The tutor expects the student to apply theories, concepts, and debates related to gendered politics and policies of gender to specific settings; to convey arguments cogently, using your own thoughts, analysis and wording; support all claims and assertions with evidence, drawing from readings and case studies examined in the module; engage in use of appropriate academic sources and reference as assigned; and write with due regard to syntax, grammar, and expected academic standards.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F1F970D0-11EE-5861-38ED-222273A14ACE.html?lang=en&login=1