jeanne.hamming
english.dept.
centenary.college
jhamming@centenary.edu
313.JAC
318.869.5082
v.card

engl.357S: sexual diversity in literature and film
CRN 20218|MW|2-3:15|Jackson 113
office.hours: MW 3:15-4, TR 9:45-11
or by appointment

schedule (click here to view)

course.description

In this course we will examine the construction of modern conceptions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered "identity." Topics to be addressed will include: the essentialism/constructionism controversy in relation to gender and to sexual preference, changing historical definitions of sexual minorities, and contemporary stereotypes and cultural representations of sexual minorities, including: the relation of sexual orientation to modern notions of gender (F2M, drag, butch/femme, "drag kings") and race; and current "political" controversies about civil rights, changing ideas of the family, gay marriage, the origins of sexual orientation, and the role science and medicine plays in defining sexuality and gender. Students will also be introduced to current trends in queer theory and feminism as it relates to sexual and gender identity.

course.goals

• To learn the history of queer identity in the United States

• To read, understand, and engage critically with recent queer theory and feminism

• To read and analyze literature and film while drawing on criticism

• To articulate in a clear and persuasive manner, both orally and in written form, arguments related to current issues surrounding queer identity politics

grade.breakdown

Semiotic Analysis of Popular Media Presentation (6-8 minutes) 10%
Semiotic Analysis of Popular Media Paper (2-3 pp) 5%
Literature/Criticism Review OR close reading/application Presentation (8-10 minutes) 15%
3 Short Response Papers (2 pp) (5% each) 15% (2 due BEFORE Midterm; 1 due AFTER Midterm)
Final Presentation (15-20 minutes) 20%
Final Research Paper (8-10 pp) 25%
Preparation and Participation* 10%

*Note: Course preparation and participation (in class and out of class) is crucial to our having a fun, engaging, and enlightening experience. Figured into students' Preparation and Participation grades are attendance, quiz scores, attentiveness to assignments, and attitude. Please keep this in mind.

lit/crit review OR close-reading/application of criticism

During the course of the semester, students will be asked to do one of two types of presentation. This is a speaking intensive course so you will graded heavily on your ability to deliver clear content, present nuanced arguments, and create class discussion.These presentations are formal and should be treated as such.

The first option is to present classmates with key information about authors, texts, critical ideas, historical events, and current issues. Specifically, presenters will do research online and at the library. Each student's goal is to become an expert on whatever subject is being presented. Students will present the following information to classmates:

historical context
critical or theoretical context
biographical information about an author or authors (where applicable)
bibliographical information
excerpts and summaries of reviews of the text (where applicable)
excerpts and summaries of literary criticism of the text (where applicable)
a list/explanation of key themes, issues, or motifs that we may want to discuss in class
a list of thoughtful, open-ended questions to prompt class discussion

The second option is to prepare of close reading of one scene in the novel or film OR demonstrate how a critical text contributes to our understanding of the primary text (application). Either approach will require that you provide specific examples from the text and provide clear connections between the critical work and the primary work. If you are presenting on a film you will want to briefly screen the scene under consideration.

In addition to presenting material to the class, presenters will be asked to turn in formal notes and a portfolio of their research.

papers

Students will prepare five (5) papers in this course.

Three (3) short papers will be critical responses to a primary text. One of these short response papers will be the source for your reading-response presentation. You may write your response paper on any primary or secondary text assigned in the class, including criticism and films, but you MUST turn in two (2) of the response papers before midterm (March 8).

You will also write a brief semiotic analysis of queer representations in popular media (advertising, television, etc). This paper will be an extension of your presentation on the same subject.

The final paper will be a 8-10 page, researched essay complete with documentation from multiple, peer-reviewed sources. This paper will be the basis for your final in-class presentation.

attendance

Please note the English Department Policy on Attendance: to be eligible to pass an English course, a student may miss no more than three times the weekly number of class meeting, regardless of the reason for these absences. This means that for classes like this one that meet three times a week, students who have in excess of nine absences cannot pass the course. Frequent absences, even when they fall short of this absolute limit, will adversely affect your grade.

"get out of jail free" card

To promote an atmosphere of personal responsibility and fairness, each student will receive one "get out of jail free" card at the beginning of the semester. In other words, the goal here is to encourage students to be conscientious about completing assignments, done right the first time, by their due dates. Students may use your card one time (I will keep a record of who uses his/her card and when) to:

"buy" a 48-hour extension on an out-of-class assignment
"buy" an opportunity to revise, within 1 week, an essay for a better grade

Students may not use their card to get out of an exam or assignment, to excuse an absence, or to retake a quiz or exam. They may not trade or sell cards to any other student.

texts

James Baldwin. Giovanni's Room.
Allison Bechdel. Fun Home: a Family Tragicomedy.
Percival Everett. Wounded.

Brokeback Mountain (film)
Southern Comfort (film)
TransAmerica (film)

Selected Handouts

supplementary.materials

If I had my way, we'd read and view 10 times more material. So, as your individual intellectual interests evolve over the course of the semester, I expect that you will supplement your thinking and writing with additional materials not direclty considered in class. This supplementary material includes further reading in gender studies and queer theory, literature, film, television, and popular culture. Some existing resources include:

logoonline.com
gay and lesbian films
365gay.com
Homosexualities, Homophobia, Queer Theory: Bibliography
Lesbian, Feminism, Queer Theory: Bibliography

schedule (click here to view)