Gender and Sexuality in Global Perspective
WGSST 2305
Autumn 2012 (AUG 8th – DEC 4th)
Tuesday/Thursday5:30PM - 6:50PM
Journalism Bldg 0375
Instructor: Anindita Sengupta
Office: 030 Dulles Hall
Office Hours:Wednesday 12:00-2:00 pm, or by appointment
Email:
Disability Accommodation
The Office for Disability Services (ODS) offers a variety of services and auxiliary aids for students with documented disabilities. Students who have verification from Disability Services are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements. ODS is located in 150 Pomerene Hall; you can contact them at 292-3307.
Course Description
The objective of the course is to explore how issues around gender and sexuality are constructed across cultures and countries. We will examine a variety of global processes and approaches, including colonialism, nationalism, decolonization, postcolonialism, globalization, and neocolonialism. We will develop a framework for thinking at the intersections of identity, politics, culture, and knowledge in order to explore the complex and contested ways in which multiple economic, political, and cultural institutions affect people’s lives globally.
The is course specifically tailored to emphasize questions related to sexuality and desire, and to identify the ways in which human sexuality intersects with other dimensions of social life, such as gender, race, nationality etc.
Ground Rules for Discussion in Class
It is my hope that we will share this course as a learning experience. It is also my goal for all of us to foster an environment for impassioned learning together. I encourage you to take an active role in the educational process. It is important that you come prepared in the class for a thought provoking discussion. Please remember that your classmates come from diverse backgrounds and experiences and that everyone is entitled to an atmosphere conducive to learning in a respectful manner.
In order to facilitate class discussions please turn offALL electronics, be on time to class, refrain from talking while others are speaking, and do not pack up or leave early. I do not allow computers in class unless it is required for presentations or any other academic reasons. Turn off the phone while in the class unless you have any emergency or if you are a parent of a young child. Bring the Text book every day in the class.
Carmen
Carmen (OSU’s online learning system) will be used in this course. To access Carmen, log on at
and select this class from the Autumn 2012 Classes. Carmen will be used to include extra readings, gradings, and extend the course discussion outside the classroom.
Required Texts
- Cynthia Enloe, Bananas, Beaches & Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics. (University of California Press, 1989)
- A Small Place, Jamaica Kincaid (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000)
- Queer Globalizations: Citizenship and the Afterlife of Colonialism, Arnaldo Cruz-Malave and Martin F. Manalansan. (New York University Press, 2002)
- Critical Transnational Feminist Praxis, Amanda Lock Swarr, Richa Nagar. (Suny Series, 2010)
- Texts are available at SBX Book Store on N. High Street. All other readings can be found on Carmen under “Content.”
Attendance and Class Participation 10 (5+5)
Leading Discussions 10 (5X2)
Class response 30 (10X3)
Powerpoint Presentation 20
Final Paper (7-8 pages) 30
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Total 100
Course Requirements
- Attendance and Participation: The most basic requirement of the course is to attend all classes and participate in the discussions.This is a discussion based course, so please come to class having done the readings and be prepared to discuss your questions and comments with your fellow students. Students are expected to engage in respectful intellectual dialogue in the classroom. Of course, in order to participate effectively, you will need to attend class regularly. Students absent more than two times will incur a grade penalty.
- Leading Discussions/Presentations:In addition, each student will serve as a discussion leader twice during the semester individually or in a group. Discussion leaders should open our class discussion with a not more than 5 minute presentation about the readings.Your presentation should not simply summarize the readings. Instead, you should raise questions and points of discussion, draw connections among the texts, and link the reading to broader themes of the course. NO powerpoint presentation.
- Class response (10x3=30): There are 3 (three), 3-4 page reflection papers, to be submitted on the days mentioned in the course schedule (Syllabus). You can choose a topic of your liking for these papers, which can be a single reading, a set of readings, a theme or an issue that has been discussed in the class, or any issue relevant to the overall objectives of this course. Responses should reflect deep thinking and draw upon relevant readings. These papers are to be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font with 1 inch margins. No late papers will be accepted.
- Powerpoint Presentation: You have to submit a Powerpoint presentation in the middle of the semester, comprised of 10-15 slides on a topic of your liking; a theme or an issue that is relevant for the class. Guidelines of the Powerpoint Presentation will be discussed in class in detail.
- Final Paper: The final paper (7‐8 pages) will be on a topic of your choice (you are encouraged to develop the topic of the Powerpoint presentation for the final paper).
Grading:
Overall grades will be based on the quality of your written assignments and the
constructive nature of your class participation. The essays will be graded according to (a)
the clarity of your argument, (b) your use of evidence to support your argument, (c) the
relevance and insight of your question(s), and (d) the accuracy of grammar, syntax and
spelling. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. A late paper will be
penalized by half a grade for every day that the paper is overdue.
PURDUE ONLINE WRITING LAB (OWL)
An excellent online resource for MLA and APA citation styles!
Grading Scale
93-100% A
90-92% A-
87-89% B+
83-86% B
80-82% B-
77-79% C+
73-76% C
70-72% C-
67-69% D+
63-66% D
60-62% D
Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism
As defined by University Rule 3335-31-02, plagiarism is "the representation of another's works or ideas as one's own: it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing of another person's work, and/or inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person's ideas." Plagiarism is one of the most serious offenses that can be committed in an academic community; and it is the obligation of this department and its instructors to report all cases of suspected plagiarism to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. After the report is filed, a hearing takes place and if the student is found guilty, the possible punishment ranges from failing the class to suspension or expulsion from the university. Although the existence of the Internet makes it relatively easy to plagiarize, it also makes it even easier for instructors to find evidence of plagiarism. It is obvious to most teachers when a student turns in work that is not her or his own; search engines make documenting the offense very simple.
These are some ways you can avoid plagiarism:
- Always cite your sources (your instructor can help with this)
- Always ask questions before you turn in an assignment if you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism
- See your instructor if you are having difficulty with an assignment.
To preserve the integrity of OSU as an institution of higher learning, to maintain your own integrity, and to avoid jeopardizing your future, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!
Writing Center
I am available to assist you with assignments and help you improve your work during my office hours or by appointment. The university also provides an incredible writing resource with the University Writing Center. The Writing Center allows you to make appointments to get assistance from trained writing tutors. To utilize this university-sponsored service, contact the Writing Center at (614) 688-5865 or visit for more information.
Class Schedule:
*The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the class schedule.
Session-1
August 23, Thursday: Introduction and Course Overview
Gender and Difference
Week-1
August 28, Tuesday: Conceptualizing the History of Women (Carmen)
Defining the Terms: Colonialism, Imperialism, Neo‐colonialism, Postcolonialism, Ania Loomba (Carmen)
August 30, Thursday: Film Screening
Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
Week-2
September 4, Tuesday: Gender and Colonial Space, Sara Mill (Carmen)
Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses, Chandra Talpade Mohanty (Carmen)
September 6, Thursday: Knowing the Oriental, Edward Said (Carmen)
Culture and Imperialism, Edward Said (Carmen)
Week-3
September 11, Tuesday:Film Screening
Life and Debt
September 13, Thursday: A small Place, Jamaica Kincaid
Week-4
September 18, Tuesday: A small Place, Jamaica Kincaid
September 20, Thursday: Bananas, Beaches and Bases, Cynthia Enloe (Chaps 1, 2)
Week-5
September 25, Tuesday: Bananas, Beaches and Bases, Cynthia Enloe (Chap 3)
Veiling Resistance, Fadwa El Guidi (Carmen)
Due: Reflection-1
September 27, Thursday: Bananas, Beaches and Bases, Cynthia Enloe (Chaps 4, 5)
Week-6
October 2, Tuesday: Bananas, Beaches and Bases, Cynthia Enloe (Chaps 6, 7)
October 4, Thursday: Bananas, Beaches and Bases, Cynthia Enloe (Chaps 8, 9)
Session-2
Sexuality and Difference
Week-7
October 9, Tuesday: Creation of Desire, Good Sex, Grace M. Jantzen (Carmen)
Capitalism and Sexuality, Radhika Balakrishnan (Carmen)
Due: Powerpoint Presentation
October 11, Thursday: Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference, Audre Lorde(Carmen)
The Social Construction of Sexuality (Carmen)
Week-8
October 16, Tuesday: Can Homosexuals End Western Civilization As We Know It? (Queering Globalization, Chap 4)
Family Affairs: The Discourse of Global/ Localization (Queering Globalization, Chap 5)
October 18, Thursday: Consuming Lifestyle, Ann Pellegrini (Queering Globalization, Chap 7)
Sexual Tourism (Carmen)
Mexican immigrants, heterosexual sex and loving relationships (Carmen)
Week-9
October 23, Tuesday: Syncretic Religion and Dissident Sexualities (Queering Globalization, Chap 10)
How to talk about Muslim Women, Sadia Toor (Carmen)
October25, Thursday: Film Screening
A Jihad for love
Week-10
October 30, Tuesday: Stealth of Desire, Cidny Patton (Queering Globalization, Chap 11)
Like Blood for Chololate, Joseba Gabilondo (Queering Globalization, Chap 13)
Due: Reflection-2
November 1, Thursday: Sexuality, Nation and State, Jyoti Puri (Carmen)
Sexualizing Asian Male Bodies, Travis S. K.kong (Carmen)
“ Funny Boys and Girls: Notes on a Queer South Asian Planet”, Gayatri Gopinath
(Carmen)
Week-11
November 6, Tuesday: Queering the family, Mary A. Burke and Kristine C. Olsen (Carmen)
The marriage contract, Mary Bernstein (Carmen)
One is not born a bride, Chrys Ingraham (Carmen)
November 8, Thursday: Transgendering: challenging the “normal”, Kerwin Kaye (Carmen)
With Respect to Sex: Negotiating hijra Identity, Gayatri Reddy (Carmen)
Week 12
Transnational Connections and Organizing
November 13, Tuesday: Critical Transnational Feminist Praxis(Intro and Chap 1)
November 15, Thursday: Dissident Globalizations, Emancipatory Methods, Social-Erotics, Chela Sandoval (Queer Globalizations, Chap 2)
There Are No lesbians Here, Katie King(Queer Globalizations, Chap 3)
Week 13
November 20, Tuesday : Critical Transnational Feminist Praxis ( Chaps 3, 4)
Due: Reflection-3
November 22, Thursday: No class-Thanksgiving
Week 14
November 27, Tuesday: Critical Transnational Feminist Praxis (Chaps 5, 6)
November 29, Thursday: Critical Transnational Feminist Praxis (Chap 2, Continuing Conversations)
Week 15
December 4, Tuesday: Presentation of Final Papers