English 288:  Sexual Diversity in Literature

Cultural Representations of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals

Dennis Allen 

Office: 439 Stansbury 

Office Hours: 2:30-4:00 T/Th and by appointment 

Phone: Office: 293-3107, Ext. 33440; Home: 292-0081 

E-mail: dallen@wvu.edu

http://www.as.wvu.edu/~dallen/28805.html

In this course we will examine the construction since the middle of the nineteenth century of modern conceptions of lesbian, gay, and bisexual "identity." Topics to be addressed will include: the essentialism/constructionism controversy in relation to gender and to sexual preference, changing historical definitions of sexual minorities, and contemporary stereotypes and cultural representations of lesbigays, including: the relation of sexual orientation to modern notions of gender (drag, butch/femme, "drag kings"); metaphoric links between homosexuality and disease, specifically AIDS; and current "political" controversies about civil rights, changing ideas of the family, gay marriage, and the "origins" of sexual orientation. 

The Response Papers: Should consist of a two page typed analysis of an essay from the course reading assignments. These should not summarize the reading but should engage it intellectually. In other words, a response to a particular essay should do one or more of the following: critique the essay, apply it to a literary or cultural text, or relate it to previous reading in the course. Also, if an essay proves exceptionally difficult, your response paper on that essay could present some focused, specific questions on points that you did not understand. 

Attendance: You are allowed three absences. If you miss class a fourth time, you will fail the course. 

Note: All films will be shown in class.

Assignments: 

Tues. January 11: Course Introduction

Thurs., Jan. 13: Definitions

     Hall,  "Query," pp. 17-18, 48-50

Tues. Jan. 18: Identity (Essentialism vs. Constructionism)

     Hall, Chapter 1, pp. 21-47

     Hall, Chapter 2, pp. 51-81

Tues. Jan. 25: Gender and Sexual Identity

     Judith Halberstam, "F2M...." (Handout)

Thurs. Jan. 27: Gender and Sexual Identity

     Mark Simpson, "Big Tits: Masochism and Transformation in Bodybuilding" (Handout)

     Response #1 Due

Tues. Feb. 1: History
     
     Before Stonewall (film)

Thurs. Feb 3: History
  
     Before Stonewall continued

Tues. Feb. 8: Leslie Feinberg, Stone Butch Blues, Chapters 1-7

Thurs. Feb. 10: Feinberg, Chapters 8-13

Tues. Feb. 15: Feinberg, Chapters 14-19    

                         Response #2 Due

Thurs. Feb. 17: Feinberg, Chapters 20-26

Tues. Feb. 22: More History

     Martin Duberman, excerpt from Stonewall (Handout)

     Tennessee Williams, "Two On a Party" (Handout) 

Thurs. Feb. 24: Day Off

Tues. March 1: Midterm

Thurs. March 3:  The Way We Live Now

      Augusten Burroughs,  Dry, pp. 1-93

Tues. March 8:  Burroughs, pp. 99-199

Thurs. March 10: Burroughs, pp. 201-309

Spring Break 

Tues. March. 22: Bisexuality

     Marjorie Garber, excerpt from Vice Versa (Handout)

Thurs. March 24:  Assimilation

     Daniel Harris, "Glad-to-Be Gay Propaganda" (Handout)

Tues. March 29: Assimilation--Gay Marriage

    Michael Warner,  excerpt from The Trouble With Normal (Handout)

Thurs. March 31:  

Assimilation: Gay Marriage

     Laura Kipnis, Michael Bronski, and Catharine Stimpson on gay marriage (Handout)

     Response #3 Due 

Tues. April 5:  Sexual Orientation, Race and Class

     Hall, Chapter 3, pp. 86-111

     Bell Hooks, "Homophobia in Black Communities" (Handout)

Thurs. April 7:  The Celluloid Closet (film)

Tues. April 12:  The Celluloid Closet 

Thurs. April 14:  Television Representations :  

     Suzanna Walters, "All Gay, All the Time?" (Handout)

Tues. April 19:  Film Representations of Lesbians: film to be determined

Thurs. April 21:  Discussion 

Tues. April 26: Film Representations of Gay Men: film to be determined

Thurs. April 28:  Discussion