GSS 303 - Advanced Gender and Sexuality Theory

4 credit(s)
This course will expand upon, and develop a more advanced understanding of, the academic discourses and theories of gender and sexuality introduced in GSS 201. We will draw on a range of theoretical frameworks, including post-Marxism, poststructuralism, psychoanalytic criticism, feminism, and queer theory, in order to address social concerns and analyze gender themes in the media, cinema, and literature. We will explore the ways in which the concept of gender is socially constructed through institutional power arrangements, popular culture representations, and everyday social dynamics, and examine how contemporary feminist theory differs from the early feminist movement. Discussions will address questions such as: what does it mean to “queer” cultural norms or political traditions and how does queer and feminist theory enable a more broad and inclusive discussion of politics in contemporary society. Also listed as PSJ 303.
Core Requirement(s): Counts toward core requirement: Humanities (2010 catalog); International and Diverse Perspectives.
Prerequisite(s): At least two upper division GSS courses.