Sex & Society Medieval Europe

Catalog description

This course revolves around the theme of sex-assigned anatomical sex, gender, sexual relationships, and the ways that these structure human relationships in high- and late-medieval Europe. It examines how understandings of sex, sexuality, and gender evolved and shaped the development of European society and culture. Topics discussed include medical and natural philosophical understandings of sex difference; the evolution of law, including laws governing sexual behavior, marriage, inheritance, property, and the public activity of men and women; theories of government and authority; literary, artistic, and theological treatments of sex and gender; and the development of social, commercial, and religious structures. Offered every other year.