Introductory description

This optional module is intended to give a critical overview of one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas of modern historical enquiry - the history of gender and sexuality. It aims to provide students with an understanding of how feminist and queer history has emerged from earlier approaches to the study of history, what makes it distinctive and what its principal strengths and weaknesses might be. As an option taken by students across different MA streams, this module not only examines the range of historical methods and interpretations that constitute feminist and queer histoircal inquiry (from the early modern period to the present), but also looks at the usefulness of 'gender' and 'sexuality' as categories of analysis that can be investigated alongside other social grids and indexes of identity and in relation to different source-driven approaches to history.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Class
2. Colonialism
3. Race
4. Law
5. Science
6. Reading week
7. Violence
8. Health
9. Religion
10. Sex and History

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of a longer chronological and broader geographic understanding of gender and sexuality as a thematic field of historical expertise.
• Demonstrate a conceptual and practical understanding of the skills of an historian of gender and sexuality.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate and achieve a piece of critical and reflective historiographical writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to undertake critical analysis.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate and test concepts and hypotheses.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

See learning outcomes.

Transferable skills

See learning outcomes.