Sex and Gender: The French Paradox

While French intellectuals have made fundamental contributions to the study of gender and sexuality, social movements around these issues in France have traditionally been of lesser importance. In this course we will examine the history of gender and sexuality over the twentieth century in France in an attempt to uncover the reasons behind this apparent paradox. Specific topics will include abortion rights, the decriminalization of homosexuality, AIDS, and the movement for gender parity in politics, with readings by de Beauvoir, Delphy, Wittig, Fassin, Hocquenghem, Foucault, Fraisse. (FREN 0221 or 0230 or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc.