Gender Issues in Science and Health (250-0-1)

Topic

Feminist & Queer Interventions in Science

Instructors

Jennifer Anne Lupu

Meeting Info

Online: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 4:30PM

Overview of class

Topic: Feminist & Queer Interventions in Science.

While "scientific" knowledge production often purports to be objective and atheoretical, across the natural and social sciences cases of bad science abound, often reinforcing racism, sexism, and gender essentialism. Feminist and queer scholars working at the intersections of theory with biology, sociology, anthropology, and medicine in particular have critiqued and analyzed the ways that researchers can produce harmful misinformation and reinforce stereotypes through seemingly "scientific" methodologies. With Black feminist theorist Katherine McKittrick's recent book "Dear Science" as our guide, we will discuss these critiques as well as feminist and queer innovations toward better scientific protocols and more credible, inclusive knowledge production. We will interrogate the concept of "objectivity" and examine assumptions that underpin biological constructions of race, sex, gender, and sexuality. This class will prove valuable for students hoping to pursue careers in the natural and social sciences, as well as those interested in the history of science, science and society, and gender and queer theory broadly.

Class Materials (Required)

Dear Science by Katherine McKittrick. Any edition (ebook etc) are fine. Other materials will be provided via canvas

Class Attributes

Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Course Meets Online
Synchronous:Class meets remotely at scheduled time