Spring 2016  |  SOC 4551 Section 001: Sociology of Sexualities (67768)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
01/19/2016 - 05/06/2016
Tue, Thu 01:00PM - 02:15PM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 125
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
Sexual attitudes, behaviors, identities. Taken-for-granted beliefs about naturalness of sexual phenomena. How social forces shape sexual lives. Diversity of thought, behavior, lived experience with regard to sexuality. prereq: Soc majors/minors must register A-F
Class Notes:
Click this link for more detailed information http://classinfo.umn.edu/?fisc0326+SOC4551+Spring2016
Class Description:
Recent scholarship in sociology encourages us to see sexuality as much more than biology or nature; more broadly, sexuality, like gender, can be seen as influenced and shaped by social forces. This means that how we see ourselves, what we consider pleasurable, what we think of as appropriate or inappropriate activities, and how we enact our sexualities are all affected by our histories, our biographies, our cultures and our social institutions. At the same time, understanding sexualities as social constructions has certain implications for everyday life, institutional arrangements, norms, values, political arrangements and social movements. By taking this broader view, we have opened up countless opportunities for fascinating new research, theoretical development, importantly new questions to pursue towards greater understanding. The course is organized around several central issues or themes: (1) first we will examine sexuality historically through the work of Michel Foucault; (2) secondly we will explore theories of sex and sexuality; (3) thirdly, we will study the social organization of sex and sexuality with particular attention to socialization processes and cultural influences; (4) the fourth theme is the issue of sex and identity, in this section we will complete a close study of intersex and identity; (5) fifth, we will consider sex and sexuality through the lens of power, knowledge and institutions; and (6) finally we will look at sexuality and social change.
Grading:
For Honors SOC 4551H there will be an additional exam specifically on the "History of Sexuality" by Michel Foucault and several worksheets to be completed. Honors students will read from the original work to develop a sophisticated understanding of Foucault's perspective on sex and sexuality as well as his specific theoretical contributions. The worksheets and exam on Foucault's work will be take home in design and represent an important aspect of study for the course. Honors students will also take the two non-cumulative in- class essay exams. Additionally, there will be a grading opportunity in writing a paper exploring a topic of interest. Your starting point for this paper will be course materials to which you will add scholarly sources that provide a deeper understanding of your topic. For the final grading requirement you will use your paper to create, illustrate and write a children's book on a complex topic.
Exam Format:
There will be one take home exam specifically on the theoretical notions and contributions of Michel Foucault; two in class non-cumulative essay exams, one paper and a children's book special project.
Class Format:
Course format will include lectures, class discussions and films.
Workload:
There will be about 60-65 pages of reading per week; the additional readings will from your close reading of Michel Foucault's, "The History of Sexuality" which will be assigned at the beginning of the semester. After completing this reading, the number of pages per week will diminish. Your workload will include a set of worksheets to assist with your reading of Foucault, a take home exam on Foucault, two in-class, non-cumulative essay exams, a paper and a children's book project.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/67768/1163
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
5 November 2015

ClassInfo Links - Spring 2016 Sociology Classes

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