WGST 228 History of American Sexualities, 1600-2000 (3)

The increase of studies and activism related to gender and sexualities in America prompts questions about situating sexuality historically. This course is designed to offer an overview of how politics and society have (mis)understood variant sexualities over the course of history from the colonial period to the present. We will survey the development of themes such as prostitution, “deviance,” reproductive choices, scientific understandings of sexualities, interactions between gendered cultures, and the role of sexual identities in the modern world. The incorporation of a variety of Medias including print, memoir, letter, advertisement, film, literature provides an interdisciplinary approach to historical context.
Prerequisite(s): Complete HIST 115 and HIST 116 or any other combination of courses that satisfies the general education history requirement.
Course Frequency: Occasional
Cross-listing: HIST 228