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  6. SO4063: SEX, DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE

SO4063: SEX, DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

This course explores the key existential questions in the modern world.  Through a series of theoretical approaches and case studies it examines the changes in individuals' understanding of sex, the meaning of life, and death.  The overarching theme of the course focuses on the changing attitudes and practices surrounding existential issues in light of an increasingly secularised social context.  As church involvement and knowledge of Christian beliefs have declined, people have little choice but to become increasingly inventive, which in turn affects the shape of the modern self.  The course addresses these individual and cultural shifts through a sociological framework.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Marta Trzebiatowska

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied) or Master of Letters in Religious Studies (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 4 or Master of Letters in Religious Studies
  • Either Sociology (SO) (Studied) or Master of Letters in Religious Studies (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course explores the key existential concerns - sex, death and the possibility of an afterlife - through a sociological lens.  In part one, we begin by examining the social and historical construction of human sexuality.  Key topics covered are the science of sex, sexualisation of modern societies, and pornography as the commodification of sex. Part two of the course deals with the questions of death, dying, burial and mourning practices, as well as representations of death in popular culture, from celebrities to vampires.  In part three we take a look at the changing images of life after death in modern societies.  We finish by briefly exploring the human quest for immortality through a variety of examples, ranging from ancient mythology to latest scientific discoveries.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour examination (60%) and continuous assessment (40%); consisting of one 1,500 word essay and one 3,000 word essay.
Resit: 1 three-hour examination (100%)

Formative Assessment

Tutorial group presentations and one online quiz

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessment work. This will normally be provided within three weeks of the submission date. Oral feedback will also be provided on tutorial facilitation where appropriate.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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