Overview
This advanced research seminar examines literary representations, histories, and critical theories of self-pleasure through sustained independent inquiry. Students develop an original, ethically responsible project using appropriate primary and secondary sources, archival and digital research methods, historiographical analysis, and theoretically informed interpretation.
The course emphasizes research question development, literature review construction, source evaluation, bibliography design, positionality, citation practices, and scholarly presentation. Students distinguish literary analysis from medical or behavioral claims and address privacy, identity, vulnerable communities, culturally specific materials, restricted sources, and the ethics of representation. The seminar culminates in a polished research paper or equivalent scholarly portfolio defended in an oral colloquium.
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate a focused, feasible, and ethically responsible research question concerning literary representations, histories, or theories of self-pleasure.
- Construct a critical literature review that synthesizes relevant scholarship and identifies significant areas of debate or omission.
- Evaluate the reliability, relevance, provenance, and scholarly bias of primary, secondary, archival, and digital sources.
- Apply an appropriate literary or cultural-theoretical framework to sustained analysis of selected texts and contexts.
- Document research methods, positionality, ethical considerations, and source-handling decisions with scholarly precision.
- Integrate quotations, paraphrases, and contextual evidence responsibly according to established citation practices.
- Defend interpretive claims through clear written, oral, and visual scholarly communication.
- Respond constructively to peer critique and revise research arguments, organization, and evidence accordingly.
- Synthesize independent research into a polished paper or equivalent scholarly portfolio that meets disciplinary standards.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Project prospectus and research plan | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Annotated bibliography and source review | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Conference-style presentation | 15.00% |
| Tutorial | Peer workshop participation | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Research paper or scholarly portfolio | 35.00% |
| Exam | Oral defense or colloquium | 15.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement Admission to a relevant honours or postgraduate research programme, or approval from the department
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.