Studies in Gender, Sexuality & Representation (307-0-20)
Topic
Populism, Sexuality, and the Future of Feminism
Instructors
Domietta Torlasco
847/491-8269
1860 S. Campus Drive, Crowe Hall #2-131
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-410: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
Populism, Sexuality, and the Future of Feminism
This course turns to the history of feminist thought and practice in the wake of the recent resurgence of populism and far-right politics. We will begin by focusing on the case of Italy, which has often been described as the "political laboratory" of the old continent, if not of the West at large. Our working thesis is that the massive convergence of economic and political interests in the careers of Silvio Berlusconi and Donald Trump, both business tycoons turned political leaders, cannot be properly understood without attending to issues of gender and sexuality. We will then expand our inquiry to the case of the United States and, in particular, to the role that intersectionality (here as in Italy) plays in our understanding of both past predicaments and future possibilities.
Class Attributes
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity