Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Module Catalogue

EN9B8-30 Queer Theory and Praxis

Department
English and Comparative Literary Studies
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Ross Forman
Credit value
30
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Download as PDF

Introductory description

EN9B8-30 Queer Theory and Praxis

Module web page

Module aims

This module aims to familiarise students with current theories of gender and sexuality, with a particular focus on literary and historical methodologies. Students will learn about the effect of legal, medical, and moral frameworks on the emergence of forms of sexual identity worldwide and the impact of globalization on local forms of sexuality and sexual practice. They will work with Intersectional approaches to literary and cultural study that involve queer theory.

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.

Illustrative Course Outline
Week 1: What Is Queer Theory?
Week 2: Queer Theory and Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Week 3: Queer Theory and Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Studies
Week 4: Queer Theory and Drama, Film, New Media
Week 5: Global Contexts I: Latin America
Week 6: Global Contexts II: Asia
Week 7: Global Contexts III: Africa*

  • Geographical regions may vary from year to year, based on the selected readings and the interests of the module instructor.
    Week 8: Focus on Trans and Third-Gender Theories
    Week 9: Theory and Praxis I
    The two concluding workshops are designed to help students think about the relationship between theory and practice in more concrete terms by applying critical methodologies to literary and cultural texts. The genre focus of the workshop can vary according to the specialisation of the module instructor, e.g. fiction, film, drama, new media.
    Week 10: Theory and Praxis II

Learning outcomes

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

  • Develop an understanding of some of the key issues and problems facing the study of gender, sexuality, and queer identities today.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of queer theory since the 1970s.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of queer theory’s significance to different literary periods and genres.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of queer theory in an intersectional context.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply queer theory’s methodologies to literary and cultural texts.
  • Consider the importance of literary and theoretical engagements with the world we live in.

Subject specific skills

To gain an understanding of queer theory as a field and of the historical development of Queer Studies (including Gay and Lesbian Studies) as an academic discipline; to think about different elements of queerness (gender fluidity, transsexuality, third genders, same-sex eroticism, etc.) in a global context; to explore the application of queer theory to literary and cultural texts; to consider the significance of queer theory to the study of different periods, from the early modern to the contemporary.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 10 sessions of 2 hours (7%)
Private study 280 hours (93%)
Total 300 hours

Private study description

Reading & research

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
6000 word essay 100% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Written feedback on essays.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of TENA-Q3PD Postgraduate Taught Critical and Cultural Theory

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TENS-Q2PE MA World Literature
  • TENA-Q3PD Postgraduate Taught Critical and Cultural Theory
    • Year 1 of Q3PD Critical and Cultural Theory
    • Year 1 of Q3PD Critical and Cultural Theory
  • Year 1 of TENA-Q3P1 Postgraduate Taught English Literature
  • TENA-Q3PE Postgraduate Taught English and Drama
    • Year 1 of Q3PE English and Drama
    • Year 2 of Q3PE English and Drama
  • Year 1 of TENA-Q3PK Postgraduate Taught Environmental Humanities

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 1 of TPHA-V7PN Postgraduate Taught Philosophy and the Arts