This course traces the diversity of gender, sex, and sexuality (GSS) practices across the globe from the pre-colonial era to the present. We consider the impact that colonialism has had on our understanding of GSS, and query what we can learn about GSS practices from before colonialism. This interdisciplinary course draws on literature, film, art, performance studies, as well as scholarly and activist work in order to develop and attempt to answer bigger questions about identity and the self. A global course, we will focus on the histories of Europe, Asia, Africa, the United States, and Latin America. Some topics that we will consider are: Aztec and Moche GSS practices, the inquisition, the invention of heterosexuality, Feminist movements, multicultural sexual pleasure, sex work, trans-migrant experiences, queer theory, queer ecology, and more. There are no “tests,” and students will work on a creative final research project. Topics courses are 2 or 4 credit, in-depth, thematic courses that may be repeated for credit under a different theme. May be repeated up to two times for a maximum of 12 credits.
- Teacher: Cris Culton
- Teacher: Nan Jordan