Pink is for girls and blue is for boys… right? Well, no! Parenting manuals from the early 20th century argued that it should be the other away around. But how can that be? Why has it changed? And most importantly, how have these binary ideas of gender shaped and limited your life since you were born?

This module asks what is the Sociology of Gender and why does it matter? We begin by addressing how gender is conceptualised, including the main theories of gender and the importance of taking an intersectional approach, that is, attending to the connections between gender and other axes of social difference and inequalities such as race, sexuality, class and (dis)ability. Then you will be applying theory and concepts to better understand how gender shapes our everyday lives. Here you will problematise gender norms and gender binaries, and you will assess the role of gender across a range of fields, including popular culture, personal relations, education, work and politics. We will end with a focus on feminist and queer movements seeking to ‘undo’ gender and gendered inequalities.

Key Information

CORE module for BA Sociology

Optional CORE module for BA Politics & Sociology, History & Sociology, Law & Sociology.

Optional module for BA Sociology & Criminology

Teaching: 1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour seminar per week

15 CATS

Summative Assessment: 2000 word essay (85%) and Group presentation in seminars (15%)

Module Convenor: Maria do Mar PereiraLink opens in a new window