A History of Sexualities

Subject HIST30004 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2012.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 8.5 hours per week: Total time commitment 102 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Professor Joy Damousi j.damousi@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

How has sexual identity and practice been understood, represented and expressed from the late 19th to the present? This subject will analyse these themes with particular attention to theories of sexuality from the sexologists to Freud, feminism and queer theory. It will also explore the history of heterosexuality, bisexuality, transvestism, and gay and lesbian movements. On completion of this subject, students should understand the ways in which sexuality both has a history, and is contested.
Objectives:
  • understand the ways in which sexual identity is historically constructed.
  • understand how feminist debates have theorised the intersection between sexuality, race, class and gender.
  • be able to use bibliographical and research skills to locate and gather information.
  • be able to reflect critically on the ways in which meanings of sexuality are historically constructed.
Assessment:

A research essay of 2500 words 50% (due mid semster) and a reflective essay of 1500 words 40% (due end of semester). Tutorial participation 10%.

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five days, no late assessment will be accepted. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources.
  • show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
  • demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies Major
History
History Major

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