Examination of the historical origins, philosophical positions,
and political implications of contemporary queer theories and
consideration of various examples from the field comparatively.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be asked to read additional texts, lead
at least one class discussion, and present their final papers
(minimum of 20 pages) to the class.
Athena Title
Queer Theories
Undergraduate Prerequisite
WMST 3010
Graduate Prerequisite
WMST 7010
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
After completion of the course, the student will be able to identify, articulate, and critically assess central philosophical and political issues that characterize queer theories.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to practice critical reading of theoretical texts, using analysis of key terminology to explore and contextualize authors' arguments in comparison with other works.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to understand historical and theoretical relationships among queer theories, feminist theories, critical race theories, transgender politics, and anti-globalization movements.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to provide a brief overview of the historical development of queer theories.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to explain and articulate central relationships between queer theory and LGBT activism, in the U.S. and globally.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to locate and use key bibliographic sources for queer scholarship within the student's own discipline.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction to queer theory. Overview of issues raised by the project of creating queer theory, including definitions of key terms such as queer, sex, gender, sexuality and identity; discussion of the emergence of queer theory from the politics of gay health in the age of AIDS; development of a list of standard questions used to interrogate theories.
II. Queer frameworks. Readings on the history, underlying assumptions and central assertions of queer theories.
III. Recent developments and current issues including global queer studies, transgender studies and queer ecologies.
