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Gender, Culture and Psychoanalysis (GEND30004)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2017

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Overview

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This subject covers historical and current developments in psychoanalytic approaches to the understanding of sexual difference. The insights psychoanalysis provides about sex and sexuality at both an individual and social level will be considered. You will be provided with a thorough grounding in gender-related psychoanalytic theories that are applicable to the study of culture and society. The subject is divided into two parts. It begins by introducing you to key concepts from thinkers including Joan Copjec, Bracha L. Ettinger, Sigmund Freud, Karen Horney, Luce Irigaray, Melanie Klein, Julia Kristeva, Jacques Lacan, Joan Riviere, and Donald Winnicott. The subject then goes on to examine how many of these concepts have been taken up and used to analyse representations of sexual difference in culture. The works of Barbara Creed, Laura Mulvey, Mignon Nixon, Griselda Pollock, Jacqueline Rose, Hanna Segal, and others, will be investigated in this context and the relevance of ideas about sexual difference from psychoanalysis for the study of art, film and literature will be explored.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should have:



  • the ability to communicate an understanding of key concepts from psychoanalysis;
  • be able to demonstrate various ways in which ideas from psychoanalysis can inform the study of sexual difference and sexuality;
  • the skills and confidence to take the initiative in relating theoretical ideas covered on the subject to culture and society; and
  • developed close reading skills in relation to both texts and images.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • have learnt to be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;
  • be able to cultivate oral and written communication skills;
  • have developed an understanding of cultural and social contexts; and
  • have become skilled at managing time and resources effectively.

Last updated: 6 February 2025