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.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Final Project Proposal: Vicky Liu

    For my exhibition project, I want to explore the controversy of an LGBTQ+ curriculum in education, primarily elementary and secondary school. Ironically, this topic was inspired by an argument I had with my boyfriend. Because I am queer and he is heterosexual and cisgender, our experiences are different. It wasn’t until further into the argument that I understood his viewpoint. I didn’t realize I was queer until sometime in the middle of the 2020 quarantine, as there was not much representation or exposure in my community during my younger years. Thus, I believe that to understand the experiences of those that are marginalized, one must educate themselves and be aware of the world around them.

    Using Vicki L. Eaklor’s Queer America: A People’s GLBT History of the United States as a starting point, I will highlight the similarities of the LGBTQ rights history with womens’ rights movement and the civil rights movement. Individuals I know will be interviewed and their responses will be included in the exhibition, since it’s important to understand firsthand experiences. I will advocate for schools having a LGBTQ+ curriculum, and include and try to refute the arguments against such a curriculum. I will interview individuals from both sides of the arguments, and I want to survey peers my age and younger to get their experiences and compile their responses together into a report.

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Erika Bauer - Final Project

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