Course Resources Archive
SY316: Biology and Politics
| Module Title | Biology and Politics |
|---|---|
| Module Code | SY316 |
| Module Tutor | Pauline Dooley |
| School | Natural and Social Sciences |
| CAT Points | 15 |
| Level of Study | 6 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Restrictions | None |
| Brief Description | The module offers an exploration and critique of the historical and contemporary application of biological science to describe (and often prescribe) human social behaviour, identity and organisation. It is particularly concerned with the construction of race and gender as biological categories, lending a scientific rationale to the de jurae allocation of limited and inferior political, social and economic rights. The module also traces the development of mainstream social science from biological positivism to social constructionism, and considers the present status and influence of sociobiological, eugenic and Social Darwinist analyses. |
| Indicative Syllabus | The module will include a selection from the following topics : a) the nature/nurture debate in the human sciences and its relevance to social policy issues - an overview and update - the social implications of mapping the human genome b) Cesare Lombroso and anthropometry ; the Italian Postivist School of Criminology ; the persistence of genetic determinism as an account of deviant social behaviour. c) Darwinism, sexual biological determinism and the Victorian construction of womanhood ; early elaboration of a feminist counter discourse (e.g. Rosa Mayreder's (1905) Zur Kritik der Weiblichkeit) d) The scientific and medical construction of "the Negro" in 18th and 19th Century USA ; medical science and the legitimation of social policy. e) Nazi racial science and the Aryan myth ; the scientific underpinnings of the Holocaust ; f) race, sex and disease - attribution of pathology - geneaology of a discourse - the racialisation of HIV/AIDS ; g) eugenics and social policy - past, present and future ; |
| Learning Outcomes | i i. Knowledge and Understanding on completion of the module students should be able to: a) offer an informed evaluation of the role of biological science in the development of the social sciences; b) demonstrate a critical awareness of biological claims and analogies used to rationalise particular socio-political projects and forms of social organisation; c) show an awareness of the persistence of biological determinist claims regarding 'race' and gender and of the implications of these for social policy; d) critique the normativity of biological and biomedical discourses which construct categories of 'normality' and 'difference' ii Skills |
| Learning and Teaching Activities | Lectures; audio visual materials; in-class discussion; early formative assessment |
| Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) | 001: 25% Coursework: Standard: 1000 words or equivalent 002: 75% Coursework: Standard: 3000 words or equivalent |
| Special Assessment Requirements | None |
| Indicative Resources | The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide. |
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