Program Overview

Sexuality and Gender in History (HIST*3020)

Course Details

The course code for Sexuality and Gender in History is HIST*3020, and it is offered in Section 01 during the Winter 2024 term. This course will be delivered in-person.

Method of Delivery

This course will be delivered in-person.

Course Goals

This course will examine the history of sexuality in North America from European encounters with Indigenous peoples to present debates over trans rights, paying careful attention to how gender, race, and class affect sexuality. Topics to be covered include:

• Changing ideas and practices around courtship and marriage
• The development of gay, lesbian, and queer identities
• Sexual violence and slavery
• The sexual revolution
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Sex and the Cold War
• Birth control, sex work, and trans history

Pre-Requisites

The pre-requisites for this course are:

1. 1 Credit in History of 7.50 credits including 0.50 credits in History, or
2. 0.50 credits in History, PHIL2060, POLS2150, SOAN2400, WMST1000, WMST*2000

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain how attitudes towards gender and sexuality in North America have changed from the 17th century to the present, including uncertainties and contradictions in the history of gender and sexuality (assessed through essays, participation, and exams)
2. Discuss and present course material with confidence (assessed through participation)
3. Analyze primary documents and secondary articles in the history of sexuality (assessed through participation, essays, and exams)
4. Improve writing and research skills by writing a term paper on a topic of their choice (assessed through essays)

Requirements

The course requirements are:

• Participation: 10%
• Short Essays (4 essays, 500 words each): 40%
• Essay (4-5 pages): 20%
• Exam (in-person): 30%

Textbook and Resources Required

There is no required textbook for this class. All assigned readings will be available through Ares.