Women,Gender,Sexuality Studies 392D - S-Queer Histories& Geographies

In popular discourse, the LGBTQ rights movement is often framed as one long struggle from the dark old days of queer oppression to the triumph of queer rights as epitomized by gay marriage, gays in the military, and the visibility of LGBT celebrities. Such a discourse positions the here and now of the modern US as the most progressive time and place - a discourse that props up narratives of US exceptionalism while ignoring the continued marginality and violence faced by the most marginal queer and gender nonconforming folks. In this course, we will challenge this progress narrative by examining how same-sex love, gender nonconforming bodies, and the identities associated with them have been understood across time and space. Starting from the premise that culture shapes our understanding of gender, sex, and sexuality, we will explore the history of sexuality from the ancient world to the present day. By taking a global perspective, we will pay particular attention to how the contingencies of space and place affect experiences and identities. Get ready for a rip-roaring ride as we travel from the "stone maidens" of the Xing dynasty, to "mine-marriages" in 1930s South Africa, from the politics of contemporary lesbian cruise boats, to the curious preferences for tiny penises in ancient Greece. No previous experience will be required; puns will be encouraged.