Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX(UALITY), BABY: QUEERNESS, SEX, AND THE MEDIA (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: In this course, we will ask ourselves how depictions of queerness in the media have evolved over time and how they compare to popular perceptions of queerness and primary accounts of queer existence at the time. We will analyze pieces of media, queer theory, as well as primary accounts from the LGBTQ+ community to create a more well-rounded picture of how depictions of queerness (especially in relation to depictions of queer sex) have evolved over time and how that impacts how we view queerness today and ask ourselves: why does the study of queerness matter — to ourselves and to society? You will develop your understanding of media analysis and employ a multifaceted approach to queer studies by gaining comfort working with queer theory, historical primary sources, and media including but not limited to theatre, film, and television. Throughout the semester, we will approach both queer and media studies with an eagerness to learn, embracing both queer joy and pain in our effort. While we will draw on a variety of materials and global perspectives, queer studies is a vast field, and the course will primarily focus on the LGBTQ+ community in the United States.