Fall 2006

WGS 393 • Nation, Empire, and Sexuality

Course Description

This course examines the close encounters and contact zones that marked American continental and overseas expansionism from the early nineteenth-century to the present. We will focus on histories and theories of sexuality as these theories pertain to the raise of United States national identity and empire, and to U.S. relations to other territories, nations, and empires.

Grading Policy

This class is purposefully broad in scope to allow students interested in the general topic to conduct research or a literature review. In this class, we will conduct a semester-long workshop about the role of sexuality in the making of the U.S. nation and empire. During the first half of the semester, we will look together at the historiography around particular issues, and then prepare short conference length papers (12-14 pages). Students will then meet individually with the instructor to report on their progress. We will conclude the semester with a mini-conference around students' papers.

Texts

Possible Texts: Laura Briggs, Reproducing Empire Albert L. Hurtado, Intimate Frontiers Luibheid and Cantu, eds., Queer Migrations Ann McClintock, Imperial Leather Pablo Mitchell, Coyote Nation Mary A. Renda, Taking Haiti Ann L. Stoler, eds., Haunted by Empire Shelley Streeby, American Sensations

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