Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Courses

Topic: LGBTQ+ Activism & Resistance in the 21st century

This course will focus on LGBTQ+ activism and resistance today, mostly in the US, across a variety of sectors. Each week will bring an in person or online activist speaker one day and provide active discussion in the following class exploring the presentation and readings assigned from that week. Course topics will vary year to year due to presenters but topics likely to include Art/Performance, QTPOC & BLM, Trans resilience, Asexual, Muslim/Faith, Fundraising, Intersex, Bisexual+, Bridging Movements, Running for Office etc. Presenters will be invited to speak in person but will also take place on zoom or pre-recording for accessibility and travel purposes. Students will gain awareness of the breadth and depth of LGBTQ+ activism and resistance in formal and informal organizations.

Topic: Masculinities in Social Context

In this course, we will explore how social norms and embodiments of masculinity have changed through different historical, cultural and social contexts. We will examine how constructions of masculinity shape and are shaped by people and institutions across intersecting experiences of gender, race, class, sexuality, nationality and disability. In this course, students will engage with the growing research and theory in the field of Masculinity Studies, connecting these concepts to popular culture, current events and lived experiences. We will investigate how masculinity norms influence not only men’s experiences but also people of all genders. Through this course, students will gain the tools to critically engage with contemporary issues concerning masculinity, including alienation, violence and shifting social and economic expectations.

Topic: Expression and Trans Identity

This course explores the concept of gender and the lived experiences of individuals along the gender spectrum. Gender will be analyzed as both a social construct holding individuals to rigid gender norms and as an avenue for self-expression and exploration. Students will examine how people have made sense of their gender identity, current terminology and challenges faced by those living outside of traditional notions of gender. Analysis will occur through an intersectional lens, which considers how race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other social identities affect understandings of gender. While the course focuses on personal narratives, literatures from gender and queer studies will be considered to trace the progression of traditional views on biology and gender to current day understandings, including discussions on terms such as “queer”, “trans”, and “gender queer”, which problematize essential notions of gender identity. Special consideration will be given to the global context, analyzing the various cultural differences in gender expression and non-binary gender identities.

Topic: Gender Expression and Trans Identity

This course explores the concept of gender and the lived experiences of individuals along the gender spectrum. Gender will be analyzed as both a social construct holding individuals to rigid gender norms and as an avenue for self-expression and exploration. Students will examine how people have made sense of their gender identity, current terminology and challenges faced by those living outside of traditional notions of gender. Analysis will occur through an intersectional lens, which considers how race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other social identities affect understandings of gender. While the course focuses on personal narratives, literatures from gender and queer studies will be considered to trace the progression of traditional views on biology and gender to current day understandings, including discussions on terms such as “queer”, “trans”, and “gender queer”, which problematize essential notions of gender identity. Special consideration will be given to the global context, analyzing the various cultural differences in gender expression and non-binary gender identities.

Topic: Women in Politics LGBTQ+ Activism & Resistance in the 21st century

Examines women as participants and citizens in the American political system. Topics include:

1. Women's political involvement at the elite level
2. Gender and mass politics (e.g., voting, public opinion)
3. Public policy areas of particular concern to women