WGS 300 3 - Sexuality Studies

When and how did people get something called sexual identity? Why does sexuality, the regulation of erotic desires, and the criminalization of sexual practices carry so much importance in modern societies? In what way does the management of these rules relate to interconnected identities of gender, race, class, and citizenship? What is the relationship between sexual identity and power? The course will explore these questions by examining the literature in the emerging field of sexuality and queer studies. In particular we will study the making of identities, sexualities, communities, and practices that are variously referred to as: queer, gay, heterosexual, heteronormative, intersexed, lesbian, transgendered, transsexual, butch/femme, two-spirit, third sex, tomboys, homosexual, sissies, and genderqueer. Specific topics/ debates that will be examined include: the history of sexuality; sexuality-focused liberation movements; the impact of 19th and 20th century sexology; the construction of heterosexuality; laws and policies of nation-states on sexuality; and the queering of American popular culture. The emphasis in this course is on providing students with the conceptual apparatus and historical framework to approach research topics and projects on cross-cultural sexuality and gender. (Group I) (Diversity)