Course Objectives: Required Texts: Website and email: Coursework Attendance and Participation: Grading: Course Schedule: FOUNDATIONS Week 2 Organization & Social Control of Bodies M 9/10 Katz, "The Invention of Heterosexuality" Somerville, Excerpts from Queering the Color Line (Intro & Ch. 1) Week 3 Power & Discourses of Sexuality Week 4 Social Constructions: The Closet, Sex & Gender M 9/24 Sedgwick, Excerpts from Epistemology of the Closet PERFORMING GENDER & SEXUALITY: BOUNDARIES UNBOUND W 9/26 Gender as Process, Stratification, Structure M 10/1 Fausto-Sterling, "Dueling Dualisms" (from Sexing the Body) Preves, "Sexing the Intersexed" Chase, "What is the Agenda of the Intersex Patient Advocacy Movement?" Week 6 M 10/8 hooks, "Is Paris Burning?" (from Black Looks) Week 7 TRANSCENDING IDENTITY/IESSOC 395-01: Queer Theory Seminar Fall 2007, Grinnell College Betsy Erbaugh Office: ARH 121 Ext: 4324 Office hours: T 1-4 drop-in, F 1:30-4 appointments Email: [email protected] Class meets: MW 2:15-4:05 in JRC 225Course website on PioneerWeb Course Objectives: This seminar investigates queer theory and the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people as addressed in empirical studies, narratives, film and activism. We will explore how gender and sexual identities intersect with race, class, ethnicity, age and disability. Our areas of inquiry will include identity, community, popular culture, violence and social movements. We will critically analyze which texts have been considered central to queer theory and which have been marginalized. This course aims to foster critical and sociological thinking, writing, and discussion. We will go beyond merely digesting theorists' work to actively engage with the material and to critique both commonly held assumptions and academic theories about gender and sexuality. Some of the ideas presented may challenge your thinking about gender, sexuality, race, disability and other dimensions of identity and social life. If you feel uncomfortable with explicit discussions of heterosexuality and homosexuality, race and racism, gay rights, feminism and other movements for social change, this may not be the class for you. We will operate under the assumption that learning involves openness to new ideas and willingness to struggle with intellectual and social contradictions. I will do everything I reasonably can to help you meet your goals in this course and to maintain a respectful classroom atmosphere. I expect you to do the same. Please see me or contact me by email to talk about any questions, revelations, problems with the material, my presentation of it, or classroom dynamics. Required Texts: Butler, Judith (1993). Bodies That Matter. New York: Routledge. Clare, Eli (1999). Exile and Pride. Boston: South End Press. Foucault, Michel (1990 [1976, trans. 1978]). The History of Sexuality: Volume I. NY: Vintage. Larsen, Nella (2003 [1929]). Passing. Penguin Books. Articles and book excerpts available on E-Reserves. Please notify me as soon as possible if an assigned reading is not available, is missing pages, the assignment is not clear, etc. Thank you. Website and email: You are required to use PioneerWeb and email for this class! The syllabus, assignments, study questions, and pertinent links will be posted on PioneerWeb. I will post or email important announcements, changes to readings, additional assignments, etc. Questions about the course? Please check PioneerWeb first, then email me.Coursework Assignments: You will complete two critical response assignments, one during each half of the semester. Details will be provided in writing when these projects are assigned. Midterm Exam: The midterm exam is designed to encourage absorption and synthesis of material covered in the first half of the semester. The exam will draw from readings, lectures, films, activities, etc. (Anything covered in readings, assignments, or class is fair game.) Reading questions provided on the website and by you in class will be a good guide to exam questions. On makeup exams: In accordance with Grinnell policy, a makeup exam will be given only if all of the following criteria are met: 1. It is absolutely impossible for you to be present for the exam. 2. If you know ahead of time you will be away the day of the exam due to an athletic event, religious observance or other obligation, you must notify me as soon as you become aware of it. In case of illness or emergency, you must notify me (preferably by email) by noon on the day of the exam. 3. Your incapacity to take the exam must be verified in writing by a physician, the Health Center or the Academic Advising Office. 4. Makeup exams must be completed either before, or within one week following, the scheduled exam. Requests for makeups that fall outside these parameters will not be looked upon favorably. Final Project: In place of a final exam, you will complete a project of your own design related to the material covered in the course. There will be a range of options for carrying out this project (research, ethnography, alternatives to writing using a variety of media, etc.). There will be deadlines periodically throughout the semester for proposing your project, gathering sources, establishing your methodology and media, and creating a "scaffold" for the project, as well as the final product. A significant portion of your grade will depend upon satisfactory and timely completion of these steps. Presentation: A seminar is by nature a collaborative learning effort. As such, each of you will present background information on a theorist or filmmaker and lead discussion on her/his work at one of our seminar meetings. Sign-up for theorists/filmmakers will be on a first come, first serve basis. I will distribute guidelines for these presentations. Attendance and Participation: This seminar is designed to revolve around dialogue, lectures, small group work, student and guest presentations, films, and other relevant information. Therefore your attendance, preparedness, and active participation are essential. Constructive dialogue requires preparing for class, respectfully joining in discussions, and courteously listening to others. There are multiple ways of participating effectively -- overall your participation grade will be based upon your consistent, engaged presence. Students are expected to come to class regularly and on time. Attendance will be taken.