Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices (GEN570)

How and why is the global an important lens for understanding sexuality in its contemporary and historical manifestations? This course will address this question by exploring the dynamics of sexuality and nation, gender and sexuality norms, racialization, citizenship and otherness, globalization, modernity, universalism, im/migration, de/post/colonialism, securitization and militarism. We use these concepts to rethink borders and categories, and to understand social and political life in a global context.

Specific focus will be on 1) the formation of sexual subjectivities and collectivities in a critical historical and global context, 2) theories and methodologies of queer and transgender sexualities, and 3) the contentious politics of border-crossing - historically, geographically, symbolically, and corporeally.


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

GEN570

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

How and why is the transnational an important lens for understanding sexuality in its contemporary and historical manifestations? This course will address this question by exploring the dynamics of sexuality and nation, gender and sexuality norms, racialization, citizenship and otherness, globalization, modernity, universalism, im/migration, de/post/colonialism, securitization and militarism. We use these concepts to rethink borders and categories, and to understand social and political life in a transnational context.

Specific focus will be on 1) the formation of sexual subjectivities and collectivities in a critical historical and transnational context, 2) theories and methodologies of queer and transgender sexualities, 3) the contentious politics of border-crossing - historically, geographically, symbolically, and corporeally.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

  • Knowledge about key concepts, contexts, and differences.
  • Knowledge about theoretical perspectives on comparative, global topics related to interdisciplinary, critical sexuality studies.
  • Knowledge of the relationships between sexuality, gender, inequality and difference across historical periods and locations.

Skills

  • Analyze and critically discuss how concepts such as gender and sexuality change across locations and temporalities.
  • Critically assess different information sources and use this skill to structure and develop an academic argument.
  • Apply relevant theories for analytical purposes.

Competences

  • Ability to formulate your own opinion on debates about global genders and sexualities, using sources from inside and outside of this course.
  • Ability to communicate research and perspectives, making oral and written presentations.
  • Ability to apply research knowledge critically across various contexts, inside and beyond the academy, and ability to apply a relevant perspectives in professional and educational situations
  • Contribute towards the solutions for a sustainable society by explicitly addressing central Sustainable Development Goals, including inequity, minorities, environmental and climate crises, and embedding these perspectives in the course's interdisciplinary and global scholarship on gender and sexuality.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

GEN340 Gender, culture and society: introduction to gender studies, GEN540 Gender, culture and society: Introduction to gender studies

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Term paper 1/1 1 Semesters Letter grades

The exam for this course is a term paper (ca 4000-5000 words). The topic is made available from early in the term, and students will receive individual and group-based supervision during the writing process. It is encouraged that students use the critical response assignments as starting points for the term paper work.

Coursework requirements

Mid-term essay, Three critical responses

There are two main coursework requirements for this course:

  • Three critical responses (ca 300 words each) on a topic determined by the instructor, must be submitted during the teaching period. It will be evaluated according to a Complete/Incomplete grade.
  • Students will work in smaller groups on assignments related to the course modules and present their positions and findings in at least one class presentation.

Failure to pass these compulsory assignments will disqualify the student from taking the final exam.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Elisabeth Lund Engebretsen

Method of work

The course consists of weekly sessions. These sessions will include lectures, seminars, group work and individual work adapted to different modes of study. All students are expected to read the syllabus and participate in group discussions and thereby develop analytic reflections in a productive environment with fellow students. This will be done on and off campus and the course coordinator will facilitate a digital learning platform (Canvas). The working language for this course is English.

The literature for this course consists of a collection of articles and book chapters to be found in Leganto. Information about the article collection can be found on Canvas before the start of the course. Any changes to the curriculum will be announced on Canvas before the start of the course. The curriculum consists of approximately 1000 pages.

Open for

All students, including international students and external candidates.

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

The syllabus can be found in Leganto