Due: Monday 7th September (worth 30%)
Representations of sexuality: Reflective critique on a contemporary issue or debate related to sexuality
Individual reflection piece (750 words)
Intended learning outcomes
1. Recognise a range of cultural and historical perspectives, values and discourses through which sexuality is usually understood.
2. Analyse and critique current debates in relation to sexual politics, sexual health and wellbeing, and sexual representation.
3. Use ICT platforms to enhance literacy, research and communications skills in Critical Sexuality Studies
Guidelines
• Identify a contemporary issue, public debate or controversy related to gender, sexuality, sex or bodies. This might include issues that have received a lot of recent media commentary (such as marriage equality, sex education in schools, 'sexting' and young people, dick pics) or broader issues relating to gender, sex or sexuality that reach the media on occasion (such as the use of sexual imagery in advertising, gendered toys for children, gender neutral bathrooms, 'labiaplast/ or breast enhancement for women, young people's access to pornography, decriminalisation of sex work and so forth). If you are unsure about your issue, check with the subject co-ordinator or lecturer.
• Identify key online publications or materials relating to this debate (minimum of three, maximum of 10). This may include newspaper articles, images, online blogs or discussion pieces, advertisement, youtube clips and so forth. You should cite these in your text using standard academic citation methods.
• Write a 750-word critical reflection on this issue using the following subheadings:
1. Introduction
Describe the issue or topic. Think about the following in your description:
• What is going on?
• Is this an international or local issue?
• Who is involved? Who are the key stakeholders? Who is most affected?
• Has this issue generated controversy? If so, why is the issue considered controversial?
• What are the main arguments or debates relating to the issue?.
2. Public discourse on the issue or topic
Discuss the nature of public debate on this issue. Think about issues such as:
• What arguments, issues or people received attention in the news media, online commentary or discussion?
• What imagery was used in media reporting or online blogs etc relating to the debate? (You can include images in your assignment, but make sure you discuss the significance of the image in your reflective piece, don't just put it there to look pretty).
• What issues, concerns, peoples or images received less attention in public debate or discourse?
3. Conclusion
What does the public /media/online debate and discussion about this issue or topic tell us about the ways in which gender, sex or sexuality are understood in society.