Lecture 13 Essay Guidance

Essay guidance Essay preparation − − − − − Three essay questions – choose one For each question you are required to discuss the essay question with reference to two of the module’s topic areas A topic area is defined as an aspect of sexuality or intimacy that has been the subject of at least one lecture e.g. HIV/AIDS, sex tourism Minimum reading requirement is six studies/readings per topic Essay content should be fairly equally balanced between the two topics Structure and content of essay − − − Structure: topic by topic OR Each aspect of the essay question bringing in examples from and discussions about the two topics Do not repeat material from your first assignment Essay question one − − − − − − ‘We can only begin to understand the differences in sexual cultures by locating them within political and economic structures and by analysing both local meanings and global processes’. Discuss using studies from at least two topic areas in the module. Lecture 6&7 seminar 2 Sexual cultures in lecture 9, read parker 2009 – sets out some important ideas considered in module Cultural rules, contexts values that relate to sexuality – political relevant social constructionist approach that recognise importance of culture – meanings associated vary culture to culture – cultural constructions of sexuality Political and economic structures – power of state in regulating sexuality, political ideology and sexual behaviour – privileges some sexualities over others – power relations, discrimination, oppression – economic – impact of economic inequalities – impact of poverty on sexuality – global processes could link to migration, capitalism, global organisations, global media, global queering Use LGBQ identity politics and theories, HIV/AIDS – cross cultural study of same gender sexual relations, transgender, sex and romance tourism, pornography debates Essay question two − − − ‘HIV/AIDS is not simply a medical issue and if policies developed to combat the spread and consequences of AIDS are to be effective, they must be informed by an understanding of cultural constructions of sexuality, as well as an awareness of power and identity issues’. Discuss using studies on HIV/AIDS as well as studies drawn from at least one other topic area in the module. Lecture 8 seminar 3 Different issues and impacts HIV has on people’s lives – ways policies developed to combat spread and consequences of aids, policies on public health, education, prevention mechanisms, caring for sick – what works in one location might not work in another, whether that be the country or a region of the country – local contexts taken into account − − − − Recognise that same policy wont be effective in different locations – through use of studies that consider local context Think about cultural constructions of sexuality – cultures give different meanings to sexual behaviour – might not make same connections between sexual behaviour and sexual identities – connections will vary from culture to culture Think through issues with power and identity – political issues and power relations link to state, gender and sexual hierarchies, identity issues – diversity of identities in different cultures – how identities are developed which is different between cultures Can include studies on HIV/AIDs, lecture 6&7 seminar 2, lecture 9 and seminar 3, lecture 10 on transgender, lecture 11 and seminar 5 Essay question three − − − − − − − − − In recent research on sexualities, it has become clear that “many of the key categories and classifications that have been used to describe sexual life in Western biomedicine…are in fact far from universal or given in all cultural settings” (Parker 2009: 256). Discuss using studies from at least two of the module’s topic areas. Lecture 9 and seminar 4 cross cultural same gender studies Lecture 10 transgender Lecture 11 seminar 5 on sex tourism Lecture 12 seminar 6 pornography Asking to consider differences between western biomedical constructions of sexuality and cultural constructions of sexuality and to consider the essentialist vs social constructionist debate Need to show understanding of essentialist argument and western biomedical categories and classifications, most of the focus would be on cultural settings – on social constructionist approach Read article from parkers work to give ideas on how to address essay question Topics work well are – essentialist vs social constructionist (beginning), seminar 2, lecture 6&7, considered early history and influence of sexology and western biomedicine on LGBQ lives and identities, later studies that focused on social constructionist arguments and multiplicity of identities within one society, lecture 8 seminar 3 on HIV/AIDs, lecture 9 seminar 4, same gender sexual relations, lecture 10 transgender, lecture 11 seminar 5 sex and romance tourism Essay guidelines − − − − − Base your assignment primarily in this module’s readings as this will ensure that you focus on key debates discussed in this module Do not import material from other modules If you want to find some of your own sources ensure that these comprise no more than 25% of your sources. Start your essay preparation with module readings so that you focus on key debates. Use books and journal articles; do not use websites (other than those linked to accessing ebooks and e-articles via University of Southampton library or that are listed in the module handbook e.g. UNAIDS website) Do not rely on quotes; summarise in your own words − − − − − − − − Provide evidence through referencing ie author date, and where appropriate author, date: page references Engage in debate and comparative analysis Use ethnographic examples – from readings – some readings ethnographic studies rather than textbook/theories Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding Check your lecture and seminar notes for each topic you have selected Do not repeat your lecture notes or the summary seminar notes; instead use your notes to direct you to pertinent literature that you then read for yourself See also marking criteria and grade descriptors in module handbook Look at seminar summaries