Performing Gender and Sexuality in America

This course examines how the performance of gender and sexuality has shaped the social, cultural, and political history of the United States from the early nineteenth century to the present. While performance happens in everyday life, we will primarily focus on how the stage has been a potent space to debate issues about gender and sexuality. This course will put forth the argument that the stage has historically not only reflected broader social concerns, but also actively helped to shape those social dynamics. After an introduction to foundational ideas, we will start the semester with minstrelsy, signaling that the performance of gender and sexuality in America is deeply intertwined with race, class, and national belonging. Reading and viewing assignments bring together feminist theory, queer theory, American social history, and performance texts to build robust seminar discussions.
Course Attributes: EN H; BU Hum; BU BA; AS HUM; AS SD I; FA HUM; AR HUM; AS SC; FA CPSC

Performing Gender and Sexuality in America

WOMEN, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES 433A

Section 01