The Body (Spr) (L4118B)

15 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore international questions around the body.

You’ll address topical debates on:

  • bodily materiality and performativity
  • the work of authors such as Goffman, Bourdieu, Fanon, Arendt, Butler and Puar
  • state regulation through torture and maiming of “undesirable bodies”, such as asylum seekers, refugees and non-binary
  • gendered aspects of regulating bodies, such as war rape, torture, nationalism, populism and the sexing of the nation
  • the vulnerability of the body, including physical decay and abuse
  • attempts to retake control of the way the body has been controlled by states
  • societal debates and activism around identity
  • the rise of rights claims around embodiment, such as cutting hair by protesters in Iran.

You’ll examine materiality vs. constructionism to debate bodily abuse, integrity, rights and control. You’ll use current affairs alongside research, journalism and novels to explore the vulnerability and power of the body.

Teaching

50%: Lecture
50%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: