Issues in Study of Gender and Sexuality

Catalog description

In this course students are introduced to various theoretical and empirical approaches to the understanding of the diversity of sexual and gender expression, including the politics of sexual orientation and gender identity. They explore the biological, psychological, and social aspects of human sexuality and gender and the processes that lead from difference to discrimination and inequality. They learn about the continuously changing relationship between gender/sexuality and various social institutions (e.g., government, family) and elements of culture (e.g., religion, language). Issues of structural, symbolic, and intimate violence related to gender and sexuality, and of its impact on physical and mental health are also discussed. Multicultural and global perspectives constitute the framework for the discussion.