First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-20)

Topic

A History of Heterosexuality

Instructors

Ty Blakeney

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 4-410: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

FR 101-8 First-Year Writing Seminar: A History of Heterosexuality

Although heterosexuality is often thought of as a natural phenomenon, historians of sexuality have demonstrated that modern heterosexual identity is a recent invention which postdates the invention of its opposite, homosexuality. In this course, we will think about the ways that heterosexuality has been socially constructed since its invention, drawing on a range of literary texts, films, and objects from popular culture across the last century. We will address questions like: how does the construction of heterosexuality interact with the oppression of women? How does the definition of heterosexuality depend on queer others? How does the history of heterosexuality relate to the history of whiteness and racism? After reflecting on the history of heterosexuality, students will be asked at the course's conclusion to present and analyze an artifact of heterosexuality from their own experience.

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.