Sociology and Criminology

Gendering the Life Course

Module code: L3093E
Level 4
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework

Students taking this elective will learn to think critically about inequalities in our societies as they emerge across the life course, especially those relating to gender. Through engaging with key moments in the life course (including birth and the ascription of gender identity; childhood and education; sexual reproduction, parenting and families; paid and unpaid work; illness and health; old age) students will build on their own experiences and observations to develop new perspectives and insights on this key issue in contemporary society.

Throughout the module, we will explore key theoretical frameworks as well as a series of concrete cases and problems in which researchers apply such theories to gender issues in social policy, health, education and psychology. By the end of the module you should have gained an understanding of gender and the concept of inequality and be able to provide critical accounts of the links between gendered social relations, cultural settings and individual behaviour and experiences.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of key theoretical approaches in the sociology of gender
• Demonstrate an understanding of the way gender differences are formed and represented at key points across the life course.
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of empirical material as evidence on gender experiences
• Use theoretical accounts of how, why and when gender differences and inequalities emerge to analyse such differences in at least three life course contexts