Sexual and gender identities

Seminars: 1 session / week, 3 hours / session

There are no prerequisites for this course.

This subject offers an introduction to the history of gender, sex, and sexuality in the modern United States—from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first. It begins with an overview of historical approaches to the field, emphasizing the changing nature of sexual and gender identities over time. The remainder of the course flows chronologically, tracing the expanding and contracting nature of attempts to control, construct, and contain sexual and gender identities, as well as the efforts of those who worked to resist, reject, and reform institutionalized heterosexuality and mainstream configurations of gendered power.

All required readings for the course can be found in the table in the Readings and Films section. The average reading load per week is roughly 80–120pp.

This subject is conducted as a discussion-based seminar. Assigned readings and films facilitate our in-class discussions. Students are required to submit a one-page response to assigned readings before class each week (students may choose five weeks in which to skip this assignment). In addition to these short response papers, each student is responsible for leading one in-class discussion, writing one short paper, and completing a final research paper on a topic relevant to course themes and materials.

Further information can be found in the Assignments section.

The Writing and Communication Center at MIT offers free one-on-one professional advice from lecturers who are published writers and experienced college teachers. They offer assistance with all types of academic, creative, and professional writing—including papers, applications, theses, and CVs. They also offer oral presentation assistance and help with all English as Second Language issues (from writing and grammar, to pronunciation and conversation practice).

MIT has strict policies against plagiarism. In academic writing, it is considered plagiarism to draw any idea or any language from someone else without adequately crediting that source. It doesn't matter whether the source is a published author, a website without clear authorship, a website that sells academic papers, or another student. Taking credit for someone else's work is unacceptable in all academic situations, whether you do it intentionally or by accident. In my experience, most cases of plagiarism are not intentional, and instead arise out of confusion concerning what counts as plagiarism and how to avoid it. To protect yourself from accidentally becoming a plagiarist, and to learn more about what constitutes plagiarism, read Academic Integrity at MIT: A Handbook for Students or contact me directly.

Over the course of the term we will discuss events and concepts that may be disturbing or traumatizing to some students. Please read the syllabus closely before the start of the term. If you suspect that specific material is likely to be emotionally challenging for you, I'd be happy to discuss any concerns you may have before the topic comes up in class.

Don't show me this again

This is one of over 2,200 courses on OCW. Find materials for this course in the pages linked along the left.

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free & open publication of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.

No enrollment or registration. Freely browse and use OCW materials at your own pace. There's no signup, and no start or end dates.

Knowledge is your reward. Use OCW to guide your own life-long learning, or to teach others. We don't offer credit or certification for using OCW.

Made for sharing. Download files for later. Send to friends and colleagues. Modify, remix, and reuse (just remember to cite OCW as the source.)

Learn more at Get Started with MIT OpenCourseWare