Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2124: The Politics of the Body

This module descriptor refers to the 2023/4 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level	5
Credits	15	ECTS Value	7.5
Term(s) and duration	This module will run during term 1 (11 weeks)
Academic staff	Dr Kate Goldie Townsend (Convenor)
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Available via distance learning	No

This module examines normative political debates around contentious contemporary practices involving the body within multicultural democracies, for instance, abortion, surrogacy, sex work, beautification, religious dress codes, child genital cutting and modification. We will ask questions such as: How do cultural norms impact on women’s bodies? What should take priority, the child’s right to bodily integrity, or collective rights to conduct cultural practices?

The module challenges students to think critically about practices conducted by majority and minority groups that impact on people’s bodies, it will draw attention to inconsistency in attitudes and policies on practices, and ask why these inconsistencies persist.

Module created	28/01/2022	Last revised	23/02/2022