This course examines the concepts of sex and gender as they are interpreted through and acted upon within the social and cross-cultural contexts of contemporary social life. Exploring first the biological and cultural beliefs about sex and gender, the course proceeds to examine theories of gender formation, the concepts of masculine and feminine, and the culturally variable context of sexuality. Informed by feminism and queen theory, it will investigate the relationship of gender sexuality and power, and apply the theoretical insights to analyses of some current issues, such as representation of gender and sexuality in new media, and the advent of globalisation.