Gender and Sexuality. Stevi Jackson

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The Structure of the Text

We begin, in Part I, with the development of essentialist ideas around gender and sexuality during the rise of modernity in the West. We then consider the challenges to essentialism associated with advances in sociological explanations of gender and sexuality. Taken with this Introduction, this first part provides a basic overview of sociological ideas around gender and sexuality, placing them in the historical contexts in which they developed. It will introduce some of the key concepts and central themes that will be dealt with in more detail in the subsequent chapters, but Part I provides a self- contained and detailed introduction to the historical emergence of sociological thought on gender and sexuality.

      The subsequent chapters offer more in- depth knowledge and work towards fuller understanding through a more detailed examination of key concepts and ideas. Part II is concerned with structural accounts of gender and sexual inequalities – their social patterning – and how they are interrelated with other social divisions and inequalities (such as class and race). In Part III we discuss cultural values, beliefs and ideologies around gender and sexuality, linking these to the structural explanations in Part II, and to how we make sense of our own individual and collective identities, which is the main focus of Part IV. In the Conclusion, we discuss the continued contemporary relevance of the issues raised throughout the book, focusing on power, politics, contemporary social identities and social change.

      Learning outcomes will be provided at the end of each part of the book. Your knowledge and understanding of key concepts and theories should develop through each self- contained chapter, but also with a cumulative effect as you progress through the book. To help along the way, each chapter is cross- referenced with other relevant sections throughout the text. Notes marked in the text direct you to further readings and useful resources for further study, to be found at the end of each part, just after the learning outcomes. The notes will help you to find further relevant materials and examples that will aid your understanding and preparation for any written assessments you may have. However, we have included examples of research in the text that illustrate concepts and theories, as well as exercises for students throughout the text that will develop skills of understanding and evaluation of the concepts and theories presented. These exercises come in two forms: first, task-based exercises which can be used in small groups or seminars; and, second, brief exercises which simply ask you as an individual reader to stop and think about a particular question in Your World. Finally, a full bibliography of all the works cited in the chapters and notes will be found at the end of the book.

Notes and Resources for Further Study