| CODE | COU3222 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Counselling | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit provides students with a reflective and safe space to reflect on the theories, research and developments in the area of Gender, Sexuality, Relationship Diversity (GSRD), through the use of experiential activities and reflective work. The method of learning is experiential; the emphasis is on developing an understanding of the basic concepts, theories and research on GSRD whilst offering a reflective space on how the themes revolving around the subject impact one’s self-growth, perspectives, stereotypes and development as individuals. It is, therefore, assumed that the participants will reflect upon their knowledge, self-awareness and skills outside the training group as well. Due to this, lectures will be planned as three-hour sessions. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit will allow students to look at issues of diversity within society and examine their own attitudes toward GSRD. It will offer students the space to explore and reflect on themes related to relationships, sex and sexuality. The study-unit is also intended to help students shed light and reflect on themes around sexuality that might be perceived as awkward to discuss, or that offer a challenge to pre-set understanding of the topic, including various sexually transmitted infections, pornography, sexual abuse and intimate partner violence. By the end of the study-unit, it is hoped that students will have acquired the ability to think and reflect critically on the above-mentioned themes, allowing themselves the freedom to further develop their understanding of themselves and others about this topic. Students will also address confidentiality within the group, disclosure and boundaries. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the terminology of GSRD and discuss its diversity; - Discuss and the anatomy and physiology involved in sex and sexuality; - Critique relationship building and sexual intimacy; - Explain pregnancy and the changes that happen post-partum, including sex and the sexual identity after birth; - Share knowledge on various sexually transmitted infections that exist and the guilt/shame revolved around it leading to stigma; - Demonstrate knowledge related to birth control and contraception; - Inform on the everchanging phenomenon of pornography; - Critique the local Sex Education Programme with the ability to critically think of alternative ways of developing the programme following the course. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Present the ability to discuss issues related to sex, gender, sexuality and relationship diversity; - Reflect on and explore the development of one's own journey towards developing individual sexuality; - Discuss and reflect on non-judgemental attitude towards concepts that might challenge our own values. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Handouts given throughout the course including information and experiential working resources. Supplementary Readings: - Azzopardi Lane, C. L., Cambridge, P., & Murphy, G. (2019). Muted voices: the unexplored sexuality of young persons with learning disability in Malta. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 47(3), 156-164. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12266 - Baldacchino, R., Cutajar, J., Murphy, B., & Naudi, M. (2016). Chapter 8: Gender and sexuality. In M. Briguglio, & M. Brown (Eds.), Sociology of the Maltese Islands (pp. 151-174). Miller Publishing. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46346 - Beasley, C.(2005 or latest edition). Gender and Sexuality. Critical theories, critical thinkers; SAGE. - Del Giudice, M. (2019). Gender and Sexuality Development: Contemporary Theory and Research. Springer International Publishing AG. - Ferfolja, T., & Ullman, J. (2020). Gender and sexuality diversity in a culture of limitation: Student and teacher experiences in schools. Taylor & Francis. - Fingalsson, R. (2023). The teaching body in sexuality education–intersections of age, gender, and sexuality. Sex Education, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2023.2254710. - Fonagy, P., Krause, R., & Leuzinger-Bohleber, M. (Eds.). (2018). Identity, gender, and sexuality: 150 years after Freud. Routledge. - Roughgarden, J. (2013). Evolution's rainbow: Diversity, gender, and sexuality in nature and people. University of California Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Anna Catania Ryan Portelli |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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