Course Description
GSWS 1102 introduces students to major contemporary issues in sexuality studies. Students will explore sexualities in relation to current political, social, and philosophical debates. Students will examine sexualities via interdisciplinary texts and current media. Topics will include an overview of sexuality theories, health and sex, media representations, and intersectional approaches to gender and identity.
Course Content
Course content will include topics such as:
· Theories of Sexuality
· Identities and Labels
· Indigenous Perspectives and Experiences
· Masculinities and Gender
· Sex and Health
· Virginity
· Disability
· Social Media and Culture
· Technologies
· Pornography
· Religion and Law
· Sex Work
· Rape Culture
Learning Activities
This course will employ a number of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some or all of the following:
1. Lecture
2. Small group discussions
3. Audio-visual presentations
4. Class discussion
5. Seminar presentations
6. Guest lectures
Means of Assessment
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.
Students may conduct research with human participants as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans.
One example of a possible evaluation scheme is as follows:
Class Participation and/or Presentations - 15%
Exams and Quizzes - 30%
Group Workshops including discussion and presentations - 10%
Research Proposal and/or Annotated Bibliography - 15%
Term Paper, Essay or Written Assignments - 30%
TOTAL 100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the successful student should be able to:
· Describe and discuss sexualities from theoretical and practical perspectives.
· Identify and analyse intersectional approaches to sexuality.
· Evaluate contemporary issues in sexuality from social, political, cultural, and philosophical perspectives.
· Connect sexuality with race, gender, and other forms of marginalization.
· Explain cultural contexts in relation to sexual identities, practices, norms, and taboos.
· Recognize how cultural contexts shift over time and differ among populations.
· Discuss and evaluate course material in relation to lived experiences and current events.
Textbook Materials
Texts will be updated periodically. Some examples of possible texts include:
· Fischer, Nancy L., and Steven Seidman (Editors). 2016. Introducing the New Sexuality Studies. Third Edition. New Your: Routledge.
· FitzGerald, Maureen, and Scott Rayter (Editors). 2012. Queerly Canadian: An Introductory Reader in Sexuality Studies. Canadian Scholars Press.
· Naugler, Diane (Editor). 2012. Canadian Perspectives in Sexuality Studies: Identities, Experiences, and the Context of Change. Oxford University Press.
· Course Reader designed by instructor