Masters of Sex: Feminisms, Sexuality and the Archive

This is a great introduction into feminist and queer studies and its relationship to the archive, which are spaces that hold different narratives and histories about how we once lived, informing us about the past, present and future. This holds an important place within feminist and queer scholarship, enabling us to understand how racialised and gendered histories live on. Through media examples we will explore how LGBTQ artists and activists use the archive in their cultural interventions.

The American author, feminist and social activist bell hooks articulates that “confronting the ways women-through sex, class and race-dominated other women” is the basis for a truly liberatory and empowering feminist framework. Through an analysis of media examples, this unique course will provide you with a fascinating overview of, and accessible way into, feminist and queer studies. We will put feminism and queerness in conversation with the archive – a space in which we can understand the past, present and future in parallel - gaining an insight into the major themes and intersections within these fields. We’ll cover film, photography, television and archival material in order to address the body, gender politics and erotic desire through an intersectional lens. You will be encouraged throughout to develop new ways of thinking about gender and sexuality. This is ideal for former or future students within the arts, gender, media and cultural studies, who are looking to develop or build further on their existing knowledge or interests.

You will not only learn about feminist and queer studies, but also how to present your ideas, develop arguments, analyse media examples and how to conduct research through a feminist and queer framework. Towards the end of the course you will have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on a topic of your choice based on the themes you have explored over the duration of the course.

Why Study this Course?

• Gain insight into key issues within sexuality, gender, race and media studies
• Develop a variety of approaches and skills to analyse media examples
• Learn to reflect upon the relationship between feminism and the media
• Understand how film and media shape our understanding of sexuality
• Learn to understand key theoretical concepts which shape the intersections of feminism, sexuality, race and media studies