Gender, Sexuality, and Health (332-0-20)

Topic

Reproductive Health/Justice/Politics

Instructors

Amy Partridge
847.491.5872

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

As feminist scholar Michelle Murphy points out, "reproduction is not self-evidently a capacity located in sexed bodies"; it is instead a site (or formation) that joins, "cells, protocols, bodies, nations, capital, economics, freedom, and affect as much as sex and women into its sprawl." Thus, she reminds us, "how we constitute reproduction shapes how it can be imagined, altered and politicized." In this seminar we will explore the changing contours of "reproductive politics" from the 1960s to the present (or from the period immediately pre-Roe v Wade through the recent 2022 decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization) through an in-depth investigation of a range of projects and organizations that conceptually reimagine what we mean by "reproduction," the scope and content of "reproductive politics," and the kinds of demands that can be made in the name of reproductive health, rights, freedom and justice.

Teaching Method

lecture/discussion, case studies, class visitors

Evaluation Method

2 short research assignments; 2 short papers; final paper or project

Class Materials (Required)

All materials provided in Canvas

Class Attributes

Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration is reserved for Gender & Sexuality Studies students