DD yr2 hasn't got module she wants and doesn't want back up module

[MyKingdomforaNewUsername]

Students were warned it would be first come first served for second year modules. She submitted her choices within the hour but hasn't got the one she really wants. Is it worth her emailing tutors and trying to make a case to get onto her chosen module?

Also, the back up she's been given "transgender studies" is one she has no interest in. I've suggested she email the uni about it but she's afraid of being accused of "hate speech." God help us.

Any useful advice would be appreciated.

Most humanity/Arts/Social Science degrees will have modules covering gender issues/feminism/sexuality etc in some way or another - usually not as clearly titled as the OPs module, but it will be there. Have a look on some of the uni websites - it's really not unusual.

Sounds like a degree similar to my DDs. She has 4 options but is asked to give preference rating for all options so less chance of getting one you definitely don't want.

Are you sure about the scope? Devil is on the detail of modules. DDs is wider more like contemporary feminist issues. Title might be just to drum up numbers.

If the modules are optional, then she needs to shop around for one with space in it. Sounds like no-one wants to do "transgender studies" so it has space (har har!) but there may be other modules which also have spaces.

We require our undergrads to list all modules on offer in the order of their preference, and try to give them at least 1 (out of 4 modules) that is their 1st or 2nd choice.

If it's a good degree, then any module she takes will be useful - although I'd draw the line at transgender studies because I'd be concerned that it would have a very narrow minded approach (of the #nodebate "transwomen are women" sort of thinking), and any dissent or asking questions might be marked down very stringly.

I can't think of any other topic in the humanities which would go this wy, but I would not trust a module called "Transgender Studies" to allow critical thinking, sadly ...

What is the degree subject? - not sure why you don't want to say.

Not sure why you want to know - it's not relevant.

Checked with DD - the course title is much longer winded then "Transgender Studies" but that's what it amounts to.

I've passed on the advice from here - thank you - it's up to her now.

Doesn’t exist. Even in Sociology you wouldn’t have “transgender studies”. Stop trying to wind people up.

This sort of thing?

“TRANS/SCENDING GENDER - 2024/5
This module develops students' advanced knowledge and skills in relation to gender studies and trans studies more specifically.”

https://catalogue.surrey.ac.uk/2024-5/module/SOCM073

“Shakespeare, Queer, and Transgender Theory -
This module examines Shakespeare’s drama through queer and
transgender perspectives. It is aimed at students who want to deepen
their knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays and the means of interpreting
them, as well as students who want to delve into the diverse
approaches of queer and transgender theory”

https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/ENG00160M/2024-25

I think @MyKingdomforaNewUsername probably wasn't given the full name of the module & is just giving a rough approximation of its title. And it is perfectly possible for a module to be called "Transgender Studies' in Sociology, or Art History, or History, or English Literature.

Look at any arts/humanities/social science degree at any uni and there will be modules relating to feminism/gender/sexuality.
OP isn't trying to wind anyone up 🙄.

OP isn't trying to wind anyone up

Indeed! I wish posters would just report me if they think it's a wind up. Instead they're just confirming DD's concerns.

Has she emailed yet?

Or she could just ask if there are any other modules with spare capacity.

No point in trying to make a case for the module she wanted - it'll be full. And they'll have some sort of system for fairly allocating spaces on popular modules.

This is really odd. Usually if Unis have this sort of first come, first serve shark frenzy for modules, they require students to specifically pick extra modules as backups. There wouldn’t be a situation where a student would get a module they had not picked either as a first choice or one of their backup choices.

They could well do if there was no space on any of their chosen modules.

Sociology or some sort of literature course might. OP, could she take a module from a different discipline perhaps? During my history degree, we were able to take a module from another arts or humanities department, I did a politics module and other students did e.g. a language.

She could just say 'it's boring' and carry on asking for something 'interesting' as an alternative...? Ok, it's childish but no-one wants an unengaged student on their course.

https://courses.warwick.ac.uk/modules/2024/SO260-15