SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

This course will surface the ways in which LGBTQ+ people and communities have impacted the ways in which mainstream American culture has been shaped by cultural production derived from thinking that challenges heteronormativity in post-World War II America until the validation of same sex marriage in 2014 Through the lenses of queer theory, evolving queer history, Since the emergence of “homosexuality” and “transsexuality” as identities in the late 19th century, queer culture has been presumed to develop in the margins of American life, ancillary to and shaped by heterosexual norms. Yet, the vast majority of queer people in the last hundred years have lived (to at least some degree) in the closet, allowing them to exist in the mainstream while maintaining a distinctly non-normative identity. Thus, to quote bell hooks, allowing them "to bring the margin into the center." In 15 meetings over the course of the semester, through lectures, discussions, texts, slides, films and video, we will explore the ways in which transformative integration of queer designs for living have occurred. Highlighting pivotal events and shifts in American cultural, political, and creative history this course will provide food for thought about the ways in queerness is integral to American notions of progress and freedom.

Monday, January 22, 2024

January 16, 2024

1/16/23Introductions, interests & backgrounds, overview of themes, issues and goals; determine tool set among participants; The blog associated with this course is https://queercurrentssva2024.blogspot.com/; and discussion of bibliography and resources. Primary texts for this course will be: Queer America: A People’s History of the United States by Vicki L. Eaklor and Art and Queer Culture by Catherine Lord and Richard Meyer. Each student must buy these books. View in class Before Stonewall, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYddtKw3NlY Assignment: Read Time magazine on the June 26,1964 Life Magazine Article, “Homosexuality in America,” http://time.com/3891557/gay-life-in-america/; Watch the 1967 CBS Report, “The Homosexuals,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu1r6igCODw Make a list of ten statements that one would believe to be facts based upon these artifacts; make a list of ten questions raised by these artifacts. Post these statements and questions to the class blog. In addition, after reading descriptions of the books listed in the selected bibliography below, each student must choose two books that pique their interest and purchase them as resources for the work they will do in this course. Come to class with evidence that the selected books have been purchased. "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYddtKw3NlY">

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Erika Bauer - Final Project

 Link to my final project https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10M3X31MtgSnCAicMzf6pDhINFAjSNRaGX8BJnh3_9Eg/edit