GWSS 290 A: Special Topics in Women Studies

BODY POLITICS THIS COURSE IS AN INTRODUCTION TO FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS IN FEMINIST INQUIRY BY FOCUSING ON THE SOCIO-HISTORICAL POSITIONALITY OF THE BODY IN TERMS OF GENDER, SEXUALITY, RACE, CLASS, AND DISABILITY. THE COURSE EXAMINES SYSTEMIC POWER THROUGH WHICH BODIES ARE POLITICIZED AND REGULATED. WE FURTHER EXPLORE RESISTANCE AND COUNTERNARRATIVE EMBODIED BY GROUPS AND PEOPLES HISTORICALLY AND CONTEMPORARILY HELD FURTHEST FROM JUSTICE. HOW IS SOMETHING SO INTIMATE AS THE BODY SHAPED BY POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SCIENTIFIC, CULTURAL, AND COMMUNITY NORMS AS WELL AS RESISTANCE TO NORMATIVE POLITICS? THROUGH VARIED METHODOLOGIES - CLASS EXAMINES HOW BODIES ARE MADE THROUGH CULTURAL SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES (E.G. MEDIA, MEDICINE).