HIS 385 Sexuality: Past and Present
From acquaintance rape to transsexual rights, sexuality is a pressing concern for many Americans, yet there are few arenas in which we are able to examine thoughtfully the complicated dynamics at the heart of these complex issues. This course aims to create that space. Drawing largely on the histories of Western Europe and the United States, this course introduces students to the myriad factors and processes that have fashioned modern and contemporary ideas about sex and sexuality. Focused primarily on the intersections of sex, power, and the state, it addresses topics like sex and commerce, sexual liberation, and the construction of deviance and sexual minority communities. Students will also have the opportunity to research and present any related topic of personal interest.