 |
Sociology of Gender: Homosexualities
Syllabus Sociology 455/555
Prof. Arlene Stein
Fall 1999 University of
Oregon
Issues in the Sociology of Gender: Homosexualities
This course examines sexual variations in modern society, emphasizing
the social construction of lesbian and gay identities and communities
in the United States. We will look at the origins of the concept of
"the homosexual," and the development of a culture and community
around that concept. Throughout, we will be concerned with the
relationship between the dominant heterosexual culture and minority
sexual cultures, paying particular attention to such institutions as
the family, the mass media, and the medical profession. The course
takes an approach which might be called "social constructionist."
Although the readings will be interdisciplinary, the course will focus
upon what sociology can contribute to an understanding of
homosexualities, and sexualities in general.
The course is divided into three parts. First, we consider a range of
theoretical and historical analyses of homosexualities. After
discussing the "essentialist-constructionist debate," we'll move on
to historical and cross-cultural studies of homosexuality. In the
second part, we will trace the trajectory of the contemporary lesbian/
gay social movement during the post-WWII era. Finally, we will discuss
current controversies and debates, including the challenges posed by
bisexuals, transgendered people, and other groups to notions of a
coherent lesbian/gay identity.
The class will combine lectures, discussions and films. Generally,
Tuesdays will be given over largely to a lecture on the week's topic,
and Thursdays will be devoted to class discussions. I will try to
hand out study questions each Thursday covering the following week's
readings. Some of these questions may serve as the basis of the
week's discussion.The required readings, listed below, must be
completed during the week they are scheduled for discussion. Class
attendance is mandatory. You are allowed to miss up to three class
sessions without penalty, but additional absences must be explained.
Course Requirements:
Undergraduates:
1) Class attendance and participation (20%).
2) One page weekly memos on the assigned reading (20%).
3) Mid-term essay (20%). Take-home, due week five or six. (I will
consider alternative proposals for group projects or creative work
that may substitute for mid-term).
4) Final exam or research paper (40%). Take-home, essay,
comprehensive. Due the last day of class (December 2).
Graduate students:
In lieu of the mid-term and final exam, graduate students will
complete a 20-25 page research paper. A 2-3 page project proposal
should be submitted by week four for approval.
Reading Memos
The reading memos will be a very important part of the writing you
will do in this class. Each (undergrad) student will write a brief one
page memo, due on the date the reading will be discussed in class.
Students will be invited to share portions of their memos with their
small groups, and with the larger class, as a springboard for
discussion. They are meant to aid you in critically analyzing the
readings and discussions, and in reflecting upon the relevance of the
issues raised in the class to your own life. The memos need not (and
probably should not) include a comprehensive and thoroughly argued
reading of the text. Instead the response papers should make
observations, offer suggestions, and pose questions about the reading.
Please take these papers seriously. You will not be graded for things
like spelling, grammar, or punctuation. You may, if you like, hand
write them NEATLY, but typing is prefered. Primarily, I want to you
focus on ideas.
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior permission of
instructor.
Books for purchase at the UO Campus Bookstore:
Erving Goffman, Stigma
Steven Seidman, ed. Queer Theory/Sociology
Arlene Stein, Sex and Sensibility: Stories of a Lesbian Generation
Course packet (P), available at the UO Book Store
Required books are are also on reserve in Knight Library.
Academic Honesty:
All work submitted in this course must be your own and produced
exclusively for this course. The use of sources (ideas, quotations,
paraphrases) must be properly acknowledged and documented.
I. THEORIES AND HISTORIES OF (HOMO)SEXUALITIES
September 28, 30
Week 1. Theories of (Homo)sexuality I: Bodies, Drives and Essences
Sigmund Freud, "The Psychogenesis of a Case of Homosexuality in a
Woman" (P)
Simon LeVay and Dean Hamer, "Evidence for a Biological Influence in
Male Homosexuality," with response by William Byne (P)
October 5, 7
Week 2. Theories of (Homo)sexuality II: Categories, Roles, Acts and
Power
Ken Plummer, "Symbolic Interactionism and the Forms of Homosexuality,"
in Seidman.
Mary McIntosh, "The Homosexual Role" in Seidman.
Jeffrey Weeks, "The Construction of Homosexuality," in Seidman.
October 12, 14
Week 3. Some Cross-Cultural Variations
Evelyn Blackwood, "Sexuality and Gender in Certain Native American
Tribes" (P)
Roger Lancaster, "Subject Honor and Object Shame" (P)
Esther Newton, "On Yams, Grinders and Gays: The Anthropology of
Homosexuality" (P)
October 19, 21
Week 4. Locating Lesbian and Gay Men in History
Video: "Before Stonewall" (October 19)
John D'Emilio, "Capitalism and Gay Identity" (P)
Caroll Smith-Rosenberg, "The Female World of Love and Ritual:
Relations Between Women in Nineteenth Century America" (P)
Eric Garber, "A Spectacle in Color: The Lesbian and Gay Subculture of
Jazz Age Harlem" (P)
Jonathan Katz, "The Invention of Heterosexuality" (P)
II. THE POLITICS OF SEXUAL IDENTITIES IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA
October 26, 28
Week 5. Stigma, Control and Sexual Subcultures in Postwar America
Erving Goffman, Stigma , selections.
John D'Emilio, selection from Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities (P)
Joan Nestle, "Butch Fem Relationships: Sexual Courage in the 1950s"
(P)
November 2, 4
Week 6. Coming Out: Gay Liberation & Lesbian Feminism
Arlene Stein, Sex and Sensibility, first half of book.
November 9, 11
Week 7. Identity Dilemmas
Arlene Stein, second half of book.
Amber Ault, "The Dilemma of Identity: Bi Women's Negotiations," in
Seidman.
Dana Takagi, "Maiden Voyage: Excursion into Sexuality and Identity
Politics in Asian
America," in Seidman.
Eve Sedgwick, "What's Queer?" (P).
November 16, 18
Week 8: Moral Panics and Rightwing Backlash
Right-wing anti-gay articles (P)
Gayle Rubin, "Thinking Sex" (P)
Susan Johnston, "On the Fire Brigade" (P)
Janice Irvine, "A Place in the Rainbow," in Seidman.
November 23, 30 (Nov. 25 is Thanksgiving)
Week 9. Gender Trouble
R.W. Connell, A Very Straight Gay" (P)
Ellen Lewin, "This Wonderful Decision" (P)
Judith Shapiro, "Transsexualism: Reflections on the Persistence of
Gender and the Mutability of Sex" (P)
Judith Halberstam, "Transgender Butch" (P).
December 2
Week 10. W(h)ither Homosexuality? Future Directions
Judith Stacey, "Gay and Lesbian Families are Here; All our Families
are Queer; Let's Get Used to It!" (P).
Joshua Gamson, "Must Identity Movements Self-Destruct? A Queer
Dilemma," in Seidman.
Dennis Altman, "Rupture or Continuity? The Internationalization of Gay
Identities" (P).
|
