Course Catalogue

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Human reproduction is taken for granted as a biological phenomenon, yet reproduction is laden with social, cultural, and political meanings and is a strategic site for examining the relationship between bodies, societies and inequalities. This course grounds reproduction in contemporary sociological debates and explores how reproductive politics continues to reverberate in the 21st century. Students will be introduced to how reproduction has been theorised and conceptualised within sociology to lay the groundwork for critically considering notions of reproductive choice and rights; interrogating constructions of 'appropriate' or 'valuable' reproduction; and examining how reproduction becomes a subject of control. Taking a reproductive justice approach, the course will explore how, for example, pregnancy and childbirth are related to prison abolition; abortion is a workplace issue; and contraceptive access is inseparable from migrant rights - demonstrating that all politics are reproductive politics.

Lecture: one hour per week, for 10 weeks 

Seminar: one hour per week, for 10 weeks 

In order to take this course you need to have met the requirements for entry into our Honours Programme. This means achieving a grade of 'D' or better in Sociology 1A and 1B and a 'C' or better in Sociology 2A and 2B. You also must comply with the College of Social Science regulations for progression to Honours.

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Group Presentation (30%) 

Essay, 3000 words (70%)

This course aims to introduce students to a range of theories about reproduction as explored in sociological and reproductive justice scholarship and activism. It intends to broaden student understanding of reproduction beyond the biological, exploring political, social, and cultural factors shaping reproduction, exposing them to a range of empirical examples in which to apply this knowledge. The course will also enhance transferable and inter-personal skills, particularly in communication; individual and group work; and critical appraisal of a wide variety of sources

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe and evaluate key theories, concepts and debates related to reproduction within sociological and reproductive justice frameworks

■ Demonstrate a critical awareness of the complexity of issues and inequalities associated with reproduction

■ Critically apply sociological and reproductive justice insights in order to analyse various aspects of reproduction

■ Effectively communicate knowledge acquired during the course working independently and in groups to evaluate different kinds of sources