Critical Social Inquiry 0174 - Queerness-Experience-Politics

In this course, we will interrogate the intersections between queer theory and politics using the interpretive lens of experience: What is queer theory, and how does it intersect with politics? Is there something such as "queer experience," and how is it expressed politically? Is "the queer" always already political and, if so, is queerness always a radical and subversive standpoint? Or, has queerness become a normalized identity? We will focus on texts that are phenomenologically rooted in experience-the experience of politics, of the body, of desire, of identity. We will start with the philosophy of Simone de Beauvoir and the political theory of the Marquis de Sade. These two thinkers-which we will read as queer-refused to substantiate identity, embodiment, sexuality, desire, and sexual difference, and effectively destabilized the usual connotations of the political. Among other authors we will consult are Wittig, Butler, Salamon, hooks, and Edelman.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.