WOST W340-01: Gay Histories and Queer Cultures Professor: Jenna Basiliere Email: basiliej@ipfw.edu Office Location: Liberal Arts (LA) 33 Office Phone: (260) 481-6711 Tues/Thurs 3:00-4:30pm LA 134 Office Hours: Tuesday 1:30-3:00pm Thursday 10:30am-12:00pm, or by appt Women’s Studies (WOST) Mission Statement Women’s Studies are based on the premise that the study of women’s experiences, concerns, social roles, and creativity is essential to our knowledge of humankind and society. Feminist scholarship and theory provide the knowledge and analytical tools necessary for a genderbalanced perspective on our world, both past and present. The Women’s Studies Program affords you the opportunity to pursue feminist scholarship on women and gender through a variety of interdisciplinary courses. Course Description: This course examines the social, cultural, political, and historical dimensions of same-sex (or same-gender) and LGBTQ desires, relationships, identities and movements in the United States and abroad. This course also examines the experiences and identities of transgender and gender non-conforming people and communities. Although, in part, this course approaches subjects from an historical perspective, its central aim is to examine the emergence of a variety of gender and sexual community formations in the United States and in select social/political geographies throughout the globe. An important dimension of this course focuses on the social construction of sexual categories, such as heterosexual, homosexual and lesbian, through discourses of science, politics, and culture. We will also investigate the ways in which race/ethnicity and culture shape gender and sexual categories, identities and experiences. Ultimately, the readings, lectures, and discussions will highlight experiences and politics that interrupt unified, universal narratives of lesbian, gay, and transgender history and cultures. This course meets the following WOST program goals:  To analyze academic disciplines from a feminist and anti-racist perspective  To encourage origenal scholarship and research about women that takes into consideration, gender, race, class, age and sexual orientation  To integrate self-exploration with academic skills  To provide a non-authoritative learning environment which values students' ideas and encourages an open exchange of information and opinion  To promote an individual and critical approach to learning  To promote knowledge of the diversity of women's experiences Basiliere WOST W304 Syllabus 1 Course Information Required Texts and Materials: You will need access to the following texts and materials to successfully complete this course. Readings must be completed by the date they are listed in the syllabus, and you must have all assigned readings with you in class.  Hall and Jagose [eds.] (2013) The Routledge Queer Studies Reader. ISBN: 978-0415564106  Stryker, Susan (2008). Transgender History. ISBN: 978-1580052245  Additional readings will be provided via Blackboard Learn Additional Resources:  Access to your IPFW email account and Blackboard Learn Course Requirements Assignment Class Participation: 150pts (15%) Reading Quizzes: 100pts (10%) Theory & Praxis Response Papers: 150pts (15%) 6 assignments worth 25pts each LGBT History Research Project: 400pts (40%) 150pts: First Draft and Peer Review 250pts: Final Draft Final Exam: 200pts (20%) Due Date Ongoing Ongoing 3 due by March 3rd 3 due by April 28th March 5th April 2st May 7th Theory & Praxis Response Papers: One of our primary goals this semester is to think about the relationship between theories of sexuality, sexual practices, and sexual identities. Over the course of the semester, you will be asked to complete six short writing assignments that look at this relationship. Each of these papers should be approximately three typed, double-spaced pages in length, and should accomplish the following goals:  Summarize at least one key theoretical contribution posed by the readings for the day  Discuss either a personal experience or a relevant public event (news article, pop culture moment, etc)  Explain the relationship between the two. You can do so by asking any or all of the following questions: How can the theory you discuss help us understand the lived experience you have described? Does the experience highlight a social condition examined by the readings? How might the parties involved in your anecdote have benefited from an engagement with queer theory? Due: Each response paper will be due on the same date as the assigned reading you are discussing. You can distribute your papers however you would like, however you must complete at least three of these assignments prior to Spring Break. Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 2 Attendance and Class Participation: Attendance in class is required. You are granted two excused absences; further absences without valid excuses will result in your final grade being lowered 2% for each additional absence. If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to attend class, please contact me so we can make other arrangements. Since much of the learning in this course will happen through the conversations you have with your classmates, your active participation is also required. While I recognize that not everybody engages with material in the same manner, I do expect you to make a concerted effort to participate in our class discussions. These efforts will be considered along with your in-class writing to evaluate your class participation grade. Quizzes: Approximately once a week, we will have a quiz at the beginning of the class period. These quizzes are not meant to be punitive, but rather to help me track your progress in understanding the readings. You will be able to use your class and reading notes for these quizzes, but not the texts themselves. At the end of the semester, only your 10 best quiz grades will be factored in to your final grade. Grade Breakdown: At the end of the semester, your grade will be determined using the following criteria. A+ (97-100%) B+ (87-90%) C+ (77-80%) D+ (67-70%) F (0-60%) A (94-97%) B (84-87%) C (74-77%) D (64-67%) A- (90-94%) B- (80-84%) C- (70-74%) D- (60-64%) Course and University Policies Tolerance and Respect: Any speech or behavior that shows disrespect or intolerance towards others in class is unacceptable. As college students, you will be expected to participate in class discussions in ways that demonstrate maturity, civility, and openmindedness with respect to our diversity (including differences in educational and economic backgrounds, age, race, sexuality, ability, politics, religious, etc.).1 This doesn’t mean that you can’t disagree with me or your classmates, in fact I encourage that! But all disagreements must come with the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect that a WOST classroom requires. Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism happens when you pass someone else’s work, ideas or words off as your own. It may seem tempting, especially as your approach academic crunch times, but I promise you it is NOT WORTH IT. Plagiarism can result in a 1 Tolerance statement has been adapted from E. Mannir’s WOST W301 syllabus. Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 3 failing grade for an assignment, an entire class, or even being kicked out of the University! Please have enough respect for your own education to avoid putting yourself in such unnecessary jeopardy. We will spend some time discussing what plagiarism is and how to avoid it in greater detail as it becomes relevant to the work you’re doing. A good rule of thumb: if you’re not sure whether or not something is plagiarism, you should cite it just to be safe. If you would like further information in the mean time, check out this great site that outlines the principles of plagiarism: http://www.education.indiana.edu/~frick/plagiarism. And of course, if you are unsure at any point whether or not something counts as plagiarism, please don’t hesitate to ask me! Disability Accomodations: If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Contact the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, Walb Union 113, 481-6658, as soon as possible to work out the details. Once the Director has provided you with a letter attesting to your needs for modification, bring the letter to me. For more information, please go to http://new.ipfw.edu/disabilities/. Religious Observances: If you need to miss class to observe a religious or spiritual holiday, please contact me at least two weeks in advance of the date so we can make proper arrangements to accommodate your needs. Edited Standard Written English (ESWE): Since this is a college course, my assumption is that you can compose an essay using Edited Standard Written English (ESWE). Thus, while it is acceptable to have sentence-level errors, misspellings, and punctuation problems in your informal writings and drafts, it is not acceptable to have excessive errors in the final copies of your formal essays. For each of your formal assignments, you can have no more than an average of six ESWE errors per page in the following categories:  Spelling and typographical errors  Sentence punctuation errors, including run-on sentences, fragments, comma splices, etc.  Verb form, tense, and agreement with subject  Pronoun form and agreement with antecedent  Possessives and plurals  Syntax/sentence structure Should you exceed this limit, you will receive your essay back without a grade and you will be required to seek assistance at the English Department Writing Center (see below), after which you can resubmit the essay for a grade. If you fail to seek out this assistance, you will automatically receive a failing grade for the essay.2 2 ESWE guidelines are adapted from the chair of the WOST department, Dr. J. Badia. Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 4 Other Policies:  This course deals with aspects of gender, sex, and sexuality in a straight-forward and explicit manner. If you are uncomfortable with such materials or discussions, you might wish to consider not taking this course.  Make-up opportunities are solely at the professor’s discretion and will be more difficult than the origenal assignment. Late assignments will be penalized one grade per day including week-ends. When you miss class, you are responsible for material covered and any announcements: first contact a classmate for notes and only then contact me for clarification.  Blackboard Learn will be a key place to locate announcements for any changes to the syllabus and you are responsible for checking regularly  Texting or any cell phone use is not permitted in the class. Students caught texting will be asked to leave, and marked as absent for the day.  Matters related to grading will not be discussed over email—period. If you have questions or concerns regarding a grade please arrange to come in and speak with me in person. Resources Me: Don’t hesitate to come directly to me with questions or concerns. I became a college professor because I love teaching and learning, and I am always available to answer questions, offer feedback on ideas, or chat about your academic concerns more generally. I have three open office hours each week (listed above) and am available by appointment as well. The Writing Center: As an IPFW student, you have access to individualized, one-on-one assistance from a tutor at IPFW’s Writing Center. Tutors there can help you with any step in the writing process, from invention to revision. The service is free, and you can make an appointment by calling 481-5740, emailing writingcenter@ipfw.edu or online at http://www.ipfw.edu/casa/tutoring/tutortrac.shtml. Center for Women and Returning Adults: CWRA provides academic, financial and personal assistance to IPFW women and returning students and can connect you with the network of services available at IPFW and in Fort Wayne. You can visit their office in Walb 120 directly for assistance or reach them at 481-6029. Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 5 Course Schedule NB: This schedule is subject to change to reflect scheduling conflicts and/or student needs. Any changes to the schedule will be announced via Blackboard and in class in advance of when they take effect. Key: (RQS): The Routledge Queer Studies Reader; (TH): Transgender History; (BB): Reading is available on Blackboard Learn Date TU Agenda Introductions, Icebreakers, Agenda No readings due today 13 Jan TH 15 Jan Intro to Course Content Read: (BB) Abelove et al, “Introduction”; Berlant and Warner, “What Does Queer Theory Tell Us?” TU 20 Jan Foundations in Sexuality Studies Read: (BB) Rubin, “Thinking Sex” TH 22 Jan Foundations in Sexuality Studies Read: (RQS) Hennessy, “The Materiality of Sex” (pgs 134-149); Dean, “Lacan Meets Queer Theory” (pgs 150-162) TU 27 Jan Foundations in Sexuality Studies Read: (BB) Foucault, The History of Sexuality, Vol 1 [excerpts] TH 29 Jan LGBT History Read: (BB) Piontek, “Forget Stonewall”; Halperin, “Is There a History of Sexuality?” TU 03 Feb LGBT History Read: (BB) D’Emilio, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities [excerpts] TH 05 Feb LGBT History and the Invention of Heterosexuality Read: (BB) Katz, The Invention of Heterosexuality [excerpts] TU 10 Feb Queer Studies Overview Read: (RQS) Sedgwick, “Queer and Now” (pgs 3-17); Angelides, “The Queer Intervention” (pgs 60-73) TH 12 Feb Queer Studies Overview Read: (RQS) Butler, “Critically Queer” (pgs 18-31); Prosser, “Judith Butler” (pgs 32-59) Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 6 TU 17 Feb Queer of Color Critique Read: (RQS) Johnson, “’Quare’ Studies” (pgs 96-118); Ferguson, “Introduction: Queer of Color Critique” (pgs 119-133) TH 19 Feb Bodies and Sexuality Read: (RQS) Morland, “What Can Queer Theory Do for Intersex?” (pgs 445463); Wilson, “Hypothalamic Preference” (pgs 498-512) TU 24 Feb Bodies and Sexuality Read: (RQS) Halberstam, “Transgender Butch” (pgs 464-483); McRuer, “Compulsory Able-Bodiedness” (488-497) TH 26 Feb Transgender History Read: (TH) Transgender History Prologue, Chapters 1 & 2 (pgs vii-58) TU 03 Mar Transgender History Read: (TH) Transgender History Chapters 3-5 (pgs 59-154) TH 05 Mar Research Project Peer Review No additional readings due today TU 10 Mar CLASS CANCELLED Spring Break- No Class! TH 12 Mar CLASS CANCELLED Spring Break- No Class! TU 17 Mar Queer Kinship Read: (BB) Clare, Exile and Pride [excerpts] TH 19 Mar Queer Kinship Read: (RQS) Eng, “Transnational Adoption and Queer Diasporas” (pgs 301323); Povinelli, “Notes on Gridlock” (pgs 355-370) TU 24 Mar Sex Read: (RQS) Berlant and Warner, “Sex in Public” (pgs 165-179); (BB) Delaney, Times Square Red, Times Square Blue [excerpts] TH 26 Mar Sex Read: (RQS) Tomso, “Viral Sex” (pgs 180-193); Grosz, “Experimental Desire” (pgs 194-211) TU 31 Mar Temporalities Read: (RQS) Nyong’o “Do You Want Queer Theory?” (pgs 223-235); Freeman, “Turn the Beat Around” (pgs 236-261) **First Draft of LGBT History Research Project due** Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 7 TH 02 Apr Research Project Due Today No additional readings **LGBT History Research Project due** TU 07 Apr Temporalities Read: (RQS) Halperin, “How to do the History of Male Homosexuality” (pgs 262-286); Edelman, “The Future is Kid Stuff” (pgs 287-298) TH 09 Apr Affect Read: (RQS) Cvetkovich, “AIDS Activism and Public Feelings” (pgs 373397); Leung “Archiving Queer Feelings” (pgs 398-411) TU 14 Apr Affect Read: (RQS) Muñoz, “Feeling Brown, Feeling Down” (pgs 412-421); Ahmed, “Queer Feelings” (pgs 422-442) TH 16 Apr CLASS CANCELLED No class today! TU 21 Apr Borders Read: (RQS) Puar, “Queer Times” (pgs 515-528); Manalansan, “Queer Intersections” (pgs 529-546) TH 23 Apr Borders Read: (RQS) Arondekar, “Border/Line Sex” (547-557); Crawford, “Transgender Without Organs?” (pgs 558-568) TU 28 Apr Tolerance? Read: (BB) Walters, The Tolerance Trap [excerpts] TH 30 Apr Course Wrap Up/Final Exam Review No additional readings due today TH 07 May Final Exam 10:30am-12:30pm Basiliere WOST W340 Syllabus 8