Gender and Sexuality in Society and Culture

Why do some scientists say there are five sexes? How have researchers studied sexuality beyond a human’s reproductive capacity? How do historical assumptions of difference influence our ethnic identification and ability to define a “race”? Since the late 19th century and early 20th century masculinity and femininity are not seen as unique essences, but as cultural constructions. The scholarly term “gender” has challenged this binary vision of the world, while critiques of “heteronormativity,” and even “homonormativity,” have shown that one’s experience of sexuality is socially organized and enforced. Likewise cultural difference, race, and ethnicity have their own social histories and ideologies. This minor explores social constructions of femininity and masculinity, normal and perverse sexuality and racial marking through cultural texts like manifestos, music videos, novels, poetry, paintings, films, commercials, sculpture, scripture and historiography. It aims to connect present-day (cultural) activism to relevant genealogies of rigorous studies of gender, sexuality, and race.

The Gender and Sexuality minor supports all university study programs by teaching students how to use sophisticated conceptual tools to analyze difference and diversity. Courses can be taken as electives, with preference given to students who register for the entire minor.

Maximum number of participants: 60

Prospectus number: 5000MGENDN

Class number: 1028

Language: English