Introductory description

This optional module aims to introduce students to, or enhance their existing knowledge of, queer theory and praxis. Queer has emerged as a form of activism, a sexual identity, a deconstructive theory and methodological approach. This module enables us to evaluate critically the benefits and limitations of queer as a scholarly resource. In order to do this the module brings a queer analysis to key sociological concerns.

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.

The module addresses the question ‘what can queer tell us about …?’ by exploring different
substantive areas pertaining to different staff and student expertise in any given year. Indicative syllabus is:

1. Queer history and activism

2. Queer theory, queer praxis

3. Queer methods and methodologies

4. Queering time and space

5. Embodiments, identities and performativities

6. Research and reading week

7. Queering health and dis/ability

8. Queering race and nation

9. Queering kinship

10. Queering education

Learning outcomes

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

• By the end of the module students should have an understanding of: 1. The history of queer as a scholarly and political approach, including its (contested) relationship to sociology
• 2. What might be meant by queer method and how, when and why such methods might be deployed in sociological contexts
• 3. The challenges, rewards and potential problems of queer approaches in relation to a range of sociological themes and empirical concerns.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

• a systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline

• an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline

• conceptual understanding that enables the student:

• to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and
  techniques, some of which are at the forefront of a discipline

• to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or
  equivalent advanced scholarship, in the discipline

• an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge

• the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline).
  Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

• apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects

• critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem
  -communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Transferable skills

The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:

• • the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
• • decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts
• • the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a
    professional or equivalent nature.