Race, Gender, and Sexuality (382-0-20)
Topic
Gender, Race & The Politics of Beauty
Instructors
Tessie Liu
467/491-3150
Harris Hall Room 327
Meeting Info
Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
Is beauty a site of political struggle? Applying the critical frameworks developed by feminist, queer, and trans* writers and theorists, this course asks why has there been such heated disputes over beauty culture is oppressive or liberatory? Is beauty the source of delusion and false values or the source of self-expression and empowerment? Could it be a site of critical destabilizing practices? To better understand the deeper stakes in this debate, the class sets these questions historically, tracing them from 17th and 18th century moral philosophy and aesthetics to 19th century physiognomics, anthropology, medicine, phrenology, and comparative anatomy. A crucial component of this project is to uncover how elites as spectators, philosophers, connoisseurs, and scientists have constituted racial and sexual hierarchies through their aesthetic judgments of others.
Through case studies on beauty pageants, cosmetic surgeries, bar and club cultures, as well as sports and modern/postmodern concert dance, we will study the counter-discourses and self-fashioning strategies of groups and individuals. Focusing on the performative and bodies in motion, we will ask whether corporeal meaning can be remade from within and by "marked" bodies. Instead of developing simple resistance models of opposition, we will focus on how communities establish their aesthetics to communicate their goals, hopes, and pain.
Registration Requirements
Attendance at first class is mandatory
Teaching Method
This class has a hybrid between a lecture class and a seminar. Mondays will be devoted to background presentations and outlining crucial issues. The seminar style discussions on Wednesdays will be the heart of the class dedicated to sharing and analyzing readings, films, lectures and other materials such as photographs and paintings. Students will rotate responsibility for starting discussions as a team (each student volunteers twice over the quarter). Between 100 to 150 pp of reading a week. Three to four films viewed outside of class meetings. One short essay (5 pp) with an assigned topic. Two additional short essays (2 to 3 pp.) due after leading the discussion. One final paper (5 to 7 pp) due during exam week. Final essays may be either a short research paper or a book and/or articles review based on student interest and developed in consultation with instructor. Students enrolled under GSS 350 will write a research analysis paper based on a monograph or article on the reading list and write a research proposal (7 to 10 pp).
Evaluation Method
Attendance and participation (30 percent)
3 short papers (50 percent)
final essay (20 percent).
Students have two (excused and un-excused) absences per quarter. Further absences can be made up by writing short papers (3 pp) on the day's lecture readings or discussion material.
Class Materials (Required)
In Canvas
Class Attributes
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area