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Welcome UW-Parkside Students! This is the course homepage for SOCA290: LGBT Studies (Spring 2008).
SOCA 290, Section 2, Class # 7794, Thursdays 6-8:45
The study of sexuality is fundamental for
an adequate understanding of core aspects of everyday life, from the
most intimate and personal to the most abstract and global. Sexual
meanings and practices are constitutive of identities, communities,
organizations, and social movements; etched into the structure of
states, economies, and families; tightly intertwined with systems of
inequality based on race, class, gender, and nation; and embedded in the
diverse processes of globalization. Thus the simple premise of this
survey is that the domain of sexuality (namely, same-sex affection) is
a vital arena for sociological inquiry.
We will begin by taking up theoretical and methodological questions through an examination of historical approaches; the work of Michel Foucault and John Boswell; and the reception of queer theory in the social sciences. In the remainder of the course, we will consider a wide range of topics and themes, including: identities, differences, communities, boundaries, and movements; sexual morality and social control; science, medicine, and the production of sexual subjects; technologies of sex; sexuality, the state, and citizenship; the political economy of sex; and the globalization of sexualities.
Students from all departments are welcome. Although one important goal will be to think about sociological approaches to the study of sexuality, the course readings are interdisciplinary and include contributions from sociology, anthropology, history, political science, theology, ethnic studies, queer theory, philosophy and science and technology studies. Below is the draft syllabus. The final version will be posted here no later than Jan 12, 2008.
Ground Rules:
- Not everyone will agree in their religious and political dogmas, so respectful and analytical dialogue is required.
- Participation is required of all who are present in the classroom. Regular students and auditors must demonstrate each week that they have read the assigned material and have begun to process its implications.
Objectives:
- To prepare students for ethical deliberation.
- To foster respect and understanding in controversy.
- To create level-appropriate research opportunities in the LGBT field.
Meet the Instructor:
MA, Meadville, 2005
BA, Olivet Nazarene, 2002
Member: Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA), Urban Affairs Association, Windy City Gay Chorus
Current research interests: marriage, prevention and control of violence, the self/body, Neuropsychology and Calvinism, stoicism in the New Testament, anti-intellectualism, the absence of Asians in Western visual media, and employment practices
Required Texts:
Boswell, John. 1980. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago. ISBN: 978-0226067117.
Duberman et al. 1990. Hidden From History: Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past. New York: Plume. ISBN: 978-0452010673.
Foucault, Michel. 1979. The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction. New York: Vintage. ISBN: 978-0679724698.
Essays:
Gamson, Joshua, and Dawne Moon. 2004. “The Sociology of Sexualities: Queer and Beyond.” Annual Review of Sociology 30, no. 1: 47-64.
Plato. 1953. “Aristophanes' Speech from Plato's Symposium." Collected Works of Plato, 4th ed. New York: Oxford. 520-525. (189c-189d and 193d-193e) http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/sym.htm
Stein, Arlene, and Ken Plummer. 1994. “I Can’t Even Think Straight: Queer Theory and the Missing Sexual Revolution in Sociology.” Sociological Theory 12, no. 2: 178-87.
Visual Media:
Hedwig and the Angry Inch. ASIN: B000065KLO.
Laramie Project. ASIN: B000067D0Y.
Oliver Twist (2005, Polanski). ASIN: B000C20VU0.
Transamerica. ASIN: B000EOTTV8.
Waiting. ASIN: B000CPH9PM.
Wedding Wars. ASIN: B000OVLBHQ.
Web Resources:
Sociological Glossary:
Dictionaries of Gay Slang:
http://andrejkoymasky.com/lou/dic/dic00.html
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gaydictionary/a/slangdictionary.htm
Foucault Dictionary:
http://www.california.com/~rathbone/foucau10.htm
The only general English dictionary allowed for use in SOCA 290, other than technical dictionaries (seriously):
Medieval Resources:
Sociology Timeline:
UW-Parkside Academic Calendar:
Recommended Texts:
Almaguer, Tomás. 1991. “Chicano Men: A Cartography of Homosexual Identity and Behavior.” differences: a journal of feminist cultural studies (special issue: queer theory, lesbian and gay sexualities), 3, 2: 75-100. (If chosen, use with Moraga essay.)
Alvear, Michael and Vicky A. Shecter. 2004. Alexander the Fabulous: the Man Who Brought the World to Its Knees. Los Angeles: Advocate.
Brooten, Bernadette J. 1996. Love Between Women. Chicago: University of Chicago.
Devor, Holly. 1994. "Sexual orientation identities, attractions and practices of female-to-male transsexuals." Journal of Sex Research 30. 303-315. (If chosen for presentation, use with Preves essay. This may stand alone as journal article review.)
LeVay, Simon. 1991. "A difference in hypothalamic structure between heterosexual and homosexual men." Science 253 (Aug 30). 1034-1037. http://members.aol.com/slevay/hypothalamus.pdf (If chosen, use with 1994 article or another person's article that responds to these findings.)
_____ and Dean Hammer. 1994. "Evidence for a Biological influence in male homosexuality." Scientific American, May. 43-55. (If chosen, use with 1991 article.)
Foucault, Michael. 1980 Herculine Barbin: being the recently discovered memoirs of a nineteenth-century French hermaphrodite. New York: Pantheon. (If chosen for presentation, read entire text with no written outline.)
_____. 1990. "Sexual Choice, Sexual Act: Foucault and Homosexuality." Politics, Philosophy, Culture. New York: Routledge. 286-303. (Foucault responds to Boswell.)
Garber, Marjorie. 1995. Vice Versa: Bisexuality and the Eroticism of Everyday Life. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Goldberg, Arnold. 1999. Being of Two Minds: The Vertical Split in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Hillsdale, NJ: The Analytic Press. ISBN10: 0-881- 63308-9. (Self Psychology approach; discuss "coming out," disembodied self, homophobia, or disingenuous behavior.)
Moraga, Cherríe. 2003. “Queer Atzlán: the Re-formation of Chicano Tribe,” Latino/a Thought: Culture, Politics, and Society. Rowman and Littlefield. 258-74. (If chosen, use with Almaguer essay.)
Preves, Sharon. 1999. "For the Sake of the Children: Destigmatizing Intersexuality." Pp. 50-65 in Alice Dreger (Ed.). Intersexuality in the Age of Ethics. University Publishing Group. (If chosen for presentation, use with Devor essay. This may stand alone as journal article review.)
Rust, Paula C. 1993. "'Coming Out' in the age of social constructionism: Sexual identity formation among lesbian and bisexual women." Gender and Society 7. 50-77. (If chosen for presentation, use with Lecoq chapter, listed in "broad applications." This may stand alone as journal article review.)
Wright, J.W. Jr. and Everett K. Rowson. 1997. Homoeroticism in Classical Arabic Literature. New York: Columbia.
Broad Applications of LGBT Studies:
Bowen, Murray. 1978. Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. New York: Jason Aronson. (Systems approach; Group presentations or research papers only.)
Butler, Judith. 1990. Gender Trouble. New York: Routledge.
Foucault, Michael. History of Sexuality Volumes II-III.
Jennings, Theodore. 2003. The Man Jesus Loved: Homoerotic Narratives from the New Testament. Pilgrim Press.
Lecoq, Jacques. 2001. The Moving Body: Teaching Creative Theatre. New York: Routledge. (Group presentations or research papers only. If used for presentation, focus on self-disclosure and use with Rust article, listed in "recommended readings.")
Nachtigall, L. and J. Heilman, 1987. Estrogen: The Facts Can Change Your Life. New York: Harper and Row.
Sennett, Richard. 1998. The Corrosion of Character. New York: Norton. (Group presentations or research papers only. If used, focus on ideas of disembodied self, homophobia, disingenuous behavior, or nondiscrimination policies.)
Thandeka. 2000. Learning to be White. New York: Continuum. (Group presentations or research papers only.)
Schedule Overview:
Sunday evening, January 20 - Hedwig and the Angry Inch (prompt for Discussion note due 5:59PM, Jan 23)
Attendance at this January 20 screening is strongly recommended.
Week 1 (January 24) – Historical Perspectives (NOTE: Discussion note due 24 hrs before class period begins: i.e., 5:59PM, Jan 23.)
Prior Reading: Aristophanes' Speech from Plato's Symposium
Discussion note: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Lecture: Classical
Victorianism - problematizing variation
Freud - not a pathology
American Psychiatric Association - pathology of "homoerotic level" in DSM-I (1952), "sexual orientation disturbance" in DSM-II (1968), 1972 meeting, "ego dystonic homosexuality" in DSM-III (1980), total removal of reference to homosexuality in in DSM-IV (1994), continued pathology of "Transvestic Fetishism" and "Gender Identity Disorder"
Week 2 (January 31) – Sociology Intro and Lesbigay Studies
Readings: Duberman 1-64 (foundational reading - do not skim), Boswell xv-40
Discussion note: Duberman (specifically Boswell vs. Halperin)
Classroom media: Excerpt from Waiting
Lecture: Suicide
Stonewall
Week 3 (February 7) – Modernity
Readings: Foucault 1-74 (foundational reading - do not skim)
Discussion note: Foucault
Lecture: Position 1: Categories help: L-G-B-T-Q-I-S-A-etc.
Gay gene? Lead paint? Pollution?
Psychoanalysis
Abuse
Parental relationships
Week 4 (February 14) – Queer Theory vs. Lesbigay Studies
Readings: Duberman 365-410, Boswell 61-90
Vocabulary Quiz - 3 points: Stonewall, Victorianism, DSM-4, MtF, DL, accommodation, affiliation, assimilation, isolation, integration, essentialism, social constructionism, realism, nominalism, taxonomy, homosocial, heterosexual (n vs. adj), homosexual (n vs. adj), pederasty, "doin' it Greek," intercrural sex, Plutarch, Ganymede, Platus, Clodius Albinus, Propertius, Xenophon of Ephesus, One Thousand and One Nights, The Anglo-Saxon Life of St. Eufrasia, Artemidorus Daldianus (also Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas)
Discussion note: Halperin vs. Brooten
Lecture: Modernity, deconstruction and poststructuralism
Essentialism vs. Social Construction
Position 2: Categories hurt: "Forget the letters; just say 'queer'!"
Panel: "Welcoming Congregation"
Week 5 (February 21) – Religion, Superstition and Textual Abuse
Readings: Romans 1, Boswell 335-353 (foundational reading - do not skim) and skim 355-402
Discussion note: Create a list of various things that are contrary to nature; read two clobber passages from multiple interpretations: (1) Paul's Letter to the Romans 1:18-32 (first in King James Version, then in New International Version, and finally in Contemporary English Version), (2) Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:9 (first in King James Version, then in New International Version, and finally in Contemporary English Version); Greek word study of 'sarki-nos' vs. 'sarki-kos' and 'epi-thumia'
Lecture: New International Version of the Christian Bible (1973NT/1987Complete) and the uses of the word ‘homosexual’
Sexual preference vs. sexual orientation
Textual abuse, spiritual violence
Kant, Biblical literalism and Western religious ethics
Conversion therapies (ex-gay) and electro-shock to remedy SSA "disease"
“Welcoming Congregation” phenomenon
Liberation theology
Week 6 (February 28) – Race and Lesbigay Studies
Readings: Duberman 106-128, 318-331, 441-451, chapter article
Discussion note: TBA
Chapter article review due
Lecture: Media Portrayal (race, sexuality and gender roles)
Guest panel: Asians and Friends vs. i2i Queer Asians and Pacific Islanders of Chicago
Week 7 (March 6) – Class, Power, Gender Roles and Sexual Positions
Readings: Foucault 103-159, Boswell 91-136, Census data TBA
Discussion note: Foucault
Classroom media: Excerpt from Oliver Twist
Lecture: Economics
Age: Cross-generational relationships; discarding senior members of society
Adoption
Bondage/domination; top/versatile/bottom; S&M and role-playing
Week 8 (March 13) – Health and Violence
Reading: Boswell 207-302
Read or view before class for discussion note: Laramie Project
Journal article review due
Lecture: Breast cancer
Self-hatred, isolation, consumer debt, psychoanalysis
Steroids, HIV and gym bunnies
Gay-bashing
Bars, bath house, forest preserve and shame
Panel: Many Men, Many Voices; Project Q; TBA
Groups 1-2
Week 9 (March 27) – Politics
Readings: Boswell 303-334, IGLSS articles on fiscal impact TBA, chapter article
Chapter article review due
Discussion note: Select legislation, including nondiscrimination and marriage proposals.
Lecture: Equal civil marriage rights
Legal discrimination
Separate-but-equal compromises (i.e., civil unions)
Blood donation and fear-based policies
Party affiliation, identity politics
DOMA and ENDA
Federal: Cheney family; Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), Fmr. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), page scandal; Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
State: Fmr. Gov. Jim McGreevey (R-MA), Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX); Hon. Kim Coco Iwamoto (I-HI)
Local: mayor Jason West (G-New Paltz, NY), mayor Gavin Newsom (D-San Francisco, CA)
Group 3
Week 10 (April 3) – “Coming out”
Reading: Duberman 212-232 and 294-317, journal article
View before class for discussion note: Wedding Wars
Lecture: Trauma and ambiguity
Family relationships
Prostitution and running away
Emancipation/disowning family
Murray Bowen and Family Systems Theory
Groups 4 and 5
Week 11 (Sunday PM, April 6) – Field study
Reading: Chapter article
No discussion note
Chapter article review due April 10 at 6:00 PM
Field experiences:
Attend one of the following
predominantly LGBT-identified
religious
institutions.
("Welcoming" or inclusive institutions not allowed.):
Reformed Jewish:
http://www.orchadash.org (Friday PM)
Protestant Christian:
www.achurch4me.org (MCC: Sun AM)
www.brdwyumc.org (Reconciling Methodist: Sun AM)
Unitarian Universalist (interfaith):
www.secondunitarian.org (Sun AM)
Roman Catholic Christian:
http://www.dignitychicago.org (Dignity: Sun PM)
http://www.mt-carmel.org (Diocesan: Sun PM)
Tour: Center on Halsted http://www.centeronhalsted.org
3656 N Halsted Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Showtunes... just like a prayer? (Drinking/smoking strictly prohibited)
3349 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60657
Debriefing at cafe
3344 N Halsted St, Chicago 60657
Week 12 (April 17) – Pop Culture, Stereotypes and Heteronormativity
Readings: Duberman 195-211, 426-440 and 456-476
Discussion note: Field study
Vocabulary Quiz - 2 points: Str8-acting, gaydar, dyke, lipstick lesbian, Chapstick lesbian, U-Haul lesbian, other critical word studies and dates as needed
Lecture: Reggae and homophobia
The divas and the D-List
Musical theatre
Porn and liturgy
Group 6
Week 13 (April 24) – Genderqueer
Reading: Stein, Duberman 183-194
View before class for discussion note: Transamerica
Lecture
Panel: TBA
Week 14 (May 1) – Bisexual, Bicurious, Questioning
Reading: Gamson, Duberman 294-317
Discussion note: Duberman
Lecture: A myth? http://www.religioustolerance.org/bisexuality.htm
Panel: Human Rights Campaign; Fair Wisconsin; Center Advocates, Inc.
Week 15 (May 8) – Paper Presentations
Reading: IGLSS article TBA
Evaluation:
Students taking the course for credit are expected to submit a research paper (15% of final grade)—body to include 6-8 pages in Arial 12-pt. font—by the beginning of the last class period. Sociology majors must follow the ASA Style Guide for citations throughout. For students outside the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, students may propose a major-related project and submit a critical reflection of the project. Non-Sociology majors may also request to submit their papers using Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Research Papers. All students must request instructor approval of their proposed topic by submitting a short written description by no later than the end of Week 5. On the last day of class, each student will present key findings. Students will not be graded for the quality of their presentation but rather for how well they engage their peers in collegial dialogue.
Group Presentation (10% value of final grade): The instructor will divide the class into groups, which shall present topics as directed. Presentations should last 50 minutes and should include (1) information-giving, (2) discussion, (3) some media delivery (e.g., PowerPoint, movie clip, well-rehearsed live performance), (4) reference to pop culture, (5) reference to current events, and (6) find its central theme in an assigned text. The groups will present at least one chapter (of at least 30 pages in length; to receive instructor approval via email) from a title in the recommended reading list. (If the Parkside library does not have a copy of the text you wish to present, then it is your responsibility to secure a copy through interlibrary loan or another means.) The presentation group will electronically furnish for their classmates and instructor an extensive outline of assigned material no later than 48 hours before the class period.
Participating in discussion portion of others' presentations (10% value of final grade) All comments and questions will reflect the preparedness and reflection of the student for class, and on that basis the instructor will grade each student. Which is to say, when you are not presenting, but your classmates are, you must still participate actively in discussion and, prior to class, complete reading of chapter outline.
Vocabulary Quizzes (5% value of final grade; combined): Twice during the semester, students will take a glossary quiz, to include relevant sociological terms, historical dates and gay slang. All gay slang and sociological terms will be defined as described in the required reading section.
Article Reviews:
Journal (10% value of final grade; combined) - Twice during the semester, each student will submit a summary and critical review of a sociological journal article (should include at least one recommended reading) that addresses same-sex affection. The journal article that the student chooses to review must be ten pages or longer, excluding bibliography. Review of partial articles are not allowed. The student’s journal article review must be less than 300 words.
Chapter (15% value of final grade; combined) – Three times during the semester, each student will submit a summary and critical review of a chapter from a book of sociology (should include at least one recommended reading) that addresses same-sex affection. The chapter that the student chooses to review must be ten pages or longer, excluding bibliography. Review of partial articles are not allowed. The student’s chapter review must be less than 300 words.
Discussion notes (30% for regular and 5% additional for field study note=35% value of final grade; combined): Each student (including auditors) will be asked to circulate discussion notes for each class period. These questions must be emailed to all participants in the course 24 hours before the class period begins. The discussion note will be no longer than 350 words and should find its prompt in the assigned reading, as announced. The note shall be structured as follows: Section One shall include a personal response that shall not exceed 100 words. Section Two shall include an academic inquiry (questions, theories, hypotheses, etc.) with an explicit connection to sociology or an allied human science. The note should provoke discussion and should demonstrate the student’s best attempt at processing the text.
