Sociology of Masculinity (SY0039)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYMASC

The course explores the creation of modern western masculinities as a social rather than a 'natural' process of gender construction. The course evaluates the contrasting strengths and weaknesses of sociological and psychoanalytic accounts of masculinity. It reviews the changes in men's involvement in paid work and in the family over the last century, looks at men and violence, cultural representations of men and men's movements. It examines whether the recent sociological focus on masculinity/ties is useful or whether attention is better focused on the material dimension of gender inequalities. The course focuses on Britain, bringing in comparative material from Europe, Scandinavia and the United States.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : 1st Semester

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Through study of issues around masculinity, this course will enhance your subject knowledge of key concepts and theoretical approaches, and your ability to analyse social diversity, use of gender comparisons, analyse the nature of social relationships and social change, evaluate the relationship between sociological argument and evidence, and distinguish sociological analysis from other forms of understanding masculinity. It will also allow you to further develop your ability to address sociologically informed questions, critically assess methodological frameworks, undertake and present scholarly work, assess and argue the relevance of sociology to wider public debate and enhance your general cognitive and transferable skills. More specifically the course provides further understanding of:

the complexity of the apparently obvious concept of 'masculinity';

the advantages and disadvantages of analysing gender identity in terms of 'expressive' versus 'instrumental' orientations or identities of men and women;

the extent to which men's involvement in paid work and in the family has changed over the last century
alternative explanations for men's violence
changing representations of men and masculinity in the media;

the importance of Bob Connell's work on 'hegemonic masculinity';

what strategies best challenge patriarchy and men's role within it