Studying Sexualities: Theories, Representations, Cultures

by Niall Richardson, Clarissa Smith, Angela Werndly

Overview

Sexuality is an integral part of our lives, and our identities. But how do we study it? Written in a lively and accessible style, Studying Sexualities aims to introduce students to the critical study of sexuality, taking a look at the major theories, media representations, and cultural practices.

After having carefully explained the key theoretical and empirical debates on the subject - outlining Foucauldian Constructionism, Psychoanalysis, and Queer Theory - the authors draw on their own original research to address timely topics related to gender, sexuality, and popular culture. Contemporary examples used within the book include discussions of sex shops, cybersex, and sex toys, the TV series Sex and the City, Will and Grace and The L Word, and the immensely popular Twilight books.

Studying Sexualities is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students on Cultural, Media, Film, or visual Studies, or Sociology and Sexuality courses, who are interested in researching the fascinating complexities of sexuality today.

NIALL RICHARDSON is a lecturer at the University of Sussex, and CLARISSA SMITH and ANGELA WERNDLY are lecturers at the University of Sunderland, UK. This book is the culmination of their considerable teaching and writing experience within the field of sexualities. Their specific research interests include feminism and popular culture, queer theory, the body and consumption.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230220430
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/31/2013
Edition description:	2013
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Niall Richardson, Clarissa Smith and Angela Werndly are Lecturers at the University of Sunderland, UK. This book is the culmination of their considerable teaching and writing experience within the field of sexualities. Their specific research interests include feminism and popular culture, queer theory, the body and consumption.
Niall Richardson, Clarissa Smith and Angela Werndly are Lecturers at the University of Sunderland, UK. This book is the culmination of their considerable teaching and writing experience within the field of sexualities. Their specific research interests include feminism and popular culture, queer theory, the body and consumption.

Table of Contents

Introduction
PART I: QUESTIONS OF THEORY
1. Introduction
2. Michael Foucault and the 'Invention' of Sexuality
3. Psychoanalysis
4. Queer Theory
PART II: REPRESENTATIONS
5. Introduction
6. Homosexuality
7. Lesbianism
8. Heterosexuality
9. Teenage Sexuality
10. Sex and Violence
PART III: SEXUAL CULTURES
11. Shopping for Sex
12. S&M, Fetishism and the Limits of Tolerance
13. Cybersex
14. Conclusion.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

An excellent introductory text. Highly recommended.' - Choice

'I like the combination of theory and case studies that deal with both representation and practice. This is an innovative structure and will be a useful addition to the existing literature. The approach of the proposed book fits with ongoing interest in cross disciplinary studies in sexualities.' - Gail Hawkes, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of New England, USA

'This is a very interesting proposal that contains a number of productive ideas. In particular, the book's aim to illustrate theory in action through the use of case studies would be an invaluable pedagogical resource for both lecturers and students. This is the main potential strength of the proposed book.' - Chris Haywood, University of Newcastle, UK

'I am generally quite sympathetic with the authors' aim to provide a textbook for students that study and research the cultural representation of sexualities in film, television, and other cultural contexts. The strategy to use case studies to introduce students to ways of practically analysing cultural texts is interesting and promising. The authors are certainly right, when they point out that most introductory textbooks focus mostly on theory, academic, and political debate and do not provide a lot of examples that could illustrate students exactly 'how to do' such analysis themselves. I think a book modelled around this approach could guide a helpful tool for under-graduate teaching around sexualities in the filed of cultural studies/media studies.' - Dr. Christian Klesse, University of Manchester, UK

Editorial Reviews

"I like the combination of theory and case studies that deal with both representation and practice. This is an innovative structure and will be a useful addition to the existing literature. The approach of the proposed book fits with ongoing interest in cross disciplinary studies in sexualities." - Gail Hawkes, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of New England
"This is a very interesting proposal that contains a number of productive ideas. In particular, the book's aim to illustrate theory in action through the use of case studies would be an invaluable pedagogical resource for both lecturers and students. This is the main potential strength of the proposed book."- Chris Haywood, University of Newcastle, UK
"I am generally quite sympathetic with the authors' aim to provide a textbook for students that study and research the cultural representation of sexualities in film, television, and other cultural contexts. The strategy to use case studies to introduce students to ways of practically analysing cultural texts is interesting and promising. The authors are certainly right, when they point out that most introductory textbooks focus mostly on theory, academic, and political debate and do not provide a lot of examples that could illustrate students exactly 'how to do' such analysis themselves. I think a book modelled around this approach could guide a helpful tool for under-graduate teaching around sexualities in the filed of cultural studies/media studies." - Dr. Christian Klesse, University of Manchester, UK

From the Publisher