CLA GRADING CRITERIAPuotinen Queering TheoryQUEERING THEORYGWSS 4403Spring 2008Wednesdays 6:20-8:50Blog Address: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/puot0002/gwss4403/Instructor: Dr. Sara L. PuotinenOffice Hours: Mondays 4-6Office Location: FORDEmail: [email protected] DESCRIPTIONTracing the work of Judith Butler, from Gender Trouble to Undoing Gender, this upper level seminar explores Butler’s impact on queer theory and her queering of gender, identity, activism, resistance and ethics. In addition to using some primary texts by Butler, this course includes several of her interviews, the recent documentary on her life and work, and readings both inspired by and critical of her work. Some questions we will explore this semester include:1. How does Butler engage in queering theory? 2. How has Butler’s understanding and promotion of queer(ing) theory changed since the writing of Gender Trouble in 1990?3. What are the limits and possibilities of Butler’s idea of performing gender for queer and feminist politics? 4. What does it mean to trouble gender? Who can trouble gender? When is troubling gender subverting dominant norms and when is it merely reinforcing those norms?5. Is Butler’s turn to ethics representative of a larger shift in queer theory? 6. What are the political and ethical possibilities of queering theory?7. What is (should be) the relationship between queer theory/queer communities and other theories/movements like feminism?8. Is Butler a “bad writer” or a difficult writer? What (if anything) is important about distinguishing between bad and difficult writing?9. Is queer theory a matter of doing or being? Can it be both?COURSE GOALS- To explore the work of Judith Butler and her importance for queer, feminist and critical theory. - To use Butler as a lens for exploring queer theory as an important intervention in both feminist and gay/lesbian theory, politics and ethics.- To gain an understanding of some key concepts, critiques and figures within queertheory.1Puotinen Queering TheoryCOURSE EXPECTATIONSAttend Class Regularly. You are allowed to have one unexcused absence during this semester. You are responsible for contacting other students to get any notes, handouts or information on assignments that you might have missed. Let me know if you have any problems. If at any point throughout the semester you have questions or concerns about this course, please know that you are more than welcome to make an appointment to meet with me. Ifyou would like to meet to discuss a grade that you received, please email mewith your questions or concerns and return your graded assignment to me atleast one day in advance of our meeting. This will enable me to give you the best possible feedback.Be an active participant in the class. Remember that everyone helps to shape the class. Your participation does make a difference. To that end, you are responsible for coming to class fully prepared (with fully read texts in hand), actively and respectfully contributing to discussions, asking questionswhen you don’t understand the material and giving feedback to the instructor on what is working and not working in the class. Turn your assignments in on time. All written assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified in this syllabus. I will only accept late papers under special circumstances. OTHER COURSE INFORMATIONAcademic DishonestyThis includes cheating on assignments, plagiarizing (misrepresenting as your own work any work that has been written by another author), and submitting the same paper or substantially similar paper to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approval of all the instructors concerned. The instructor will report such dishonesty. It is grounds for failure in the course.Disability ServicesStudents with disabilities who require accommodations in meeting course requirements should meet with me as early as possible in the term. Class materials, including this syllabus, can be made available in alternative formats upon request. It is your responsibility to provide documentation from Disability Services to receive accommodations.Non-native English Speakers and WritersIf you need some extra assistance with the reading and writing assignments,please contact me early in the term.2Puotinen Queering TheoryU of M Harassment Policy The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shallhave equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation. For further information, call the University Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 418 Morrill Hall, 624-9547.3Puotinen Queering TheoryCOURSE REQUIREMENTS1. Group Presentation 40%You and 1-2 other people are required to give a 40 minute presentation on a topic related to queering theory and Judith Butler. As part of this presentation, you will do extensive research on the topic and develop an annotated bibliography with at least 6 sources. Your grade will be based on content/creativity/effectiveness of your presentation, a 2 page summary of your findings, and an annotated bibliography. The general topics for the presentation are: (1) sex/gender system, (2) Drag queens/drag kings, (3) Transgender and Intersex rights, (4) History of Identity Politics, (5) Queer Activism, (6) the Intellectual Roots of Queering Theory: Radical Democracy, Frankfurt Critical Theory, Michel Foucault and/or Friedrich Nietszche and (7) Transnationalism, Queer Theory and Human Rights. A more detailed handout and sign-up sheet will be distributed in the next few weeks.2. Paper(s) 40%You may choose one of the following options for this assignment:a. Write a 12-15 page paper on a topic related to Judith Butler and/or Queering Theory. This paper requires that you do outside research about your topic and that you include at least 5 additional sources, that is 5 texts/readings that we do not discuss/read in class (internet sites may be used but do not count as part of the 5 sources required). In addition to the paper, you must submit a 250 word abstract with tentative bibliography and meet with me to discuss your topic. The abstract/bibliography will be due on March 26. The final paper will be due on April 30. b. Write three shorter analysis papers (5 pages) on three of the five major Butler topic of this course