Key facts
UNE unit code: SOCY582
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
Challenge your understanding of sex, gender, sexuality and relationships from a sociological perspective.
Drawing on social constructionist, feminist and queer theories, the unit explores historical ideas about sex and pleasure, the invention of heterosexuality and homosexuality, and ideas about male and female sexual difference.
You will also analyse a range of contemporary social issues in sexual life including debates about homosexuality, monogamy, sex work, pornography, sexual health and performance, sexual citizenship, and the impact of new technologies on identity and intimacy.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate coherent theoretical knowledge of the multiple meanings attached to the terms sex, gender and sexuality;
- analyse sociological examples to evaluate contemporary normative assumptions and their relationship to issues of social equity and civil rights;
- demonstrate the relevance of sociological theoretical approaches to a range of contemporary issues and social practices in the sphere of intimate and sexual life;
- show proficiency in assessing and articulating the relative merits of competing debates and theories relating to questions of social change of sexual diversity with the ability to transmit this cohesively to others;
- demonstrate competence in applying complex and competing theoretical frameworks in different cultural and social settings, and the ability to execute a self-initiated writing project; and
- model and apply skills in undertaking library and field work research, demonstrating acquired theoretical and sociological insights to contribute towards life-long application in a professional career.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | Yes | 40% | All offerings | No. Words: 2500 |
Essay 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | No. Words: 4000 |
Reflective Reading/Tutorial | No | 10% | All offerings | Assessable Tutorial attendance and contribution, or for online students, assessable Reflective Reading Log No. Words: 1000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Introducing the New Sexuality Studies: Original Essays
ISBN: 9780367756413
Nancy L. Fischer (Editor), Laurel Westbrook (Editor), Steven Seidman (Editor), Routledge 4th ed. 2022
Text refers to: All offerings
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