Romance, Desire, Sex: Selected Topics in Feminist Theory

The course offers an overview of some key feminist texts and theories that have shaped the analysis of gender and sexuality. How have feminist theories addressed the issues of romance, desire and sex? Working within a transnational perspective, course materials will examine: (1) how the concepts of choice, freedom, and agency translate in different cultures; (2) the concept of gender identity and the viability of the category woman in different locales; and (3) the political economy of romance, desire, and pleasure . In each section the readings will locate feminist theories in relation to histories of colonialism and postcolonialism, as well as theories of nationalism and globalization. (WAGS 0200 or SOAN 0191) 3 hr. lect.