WAGS 0320 Of Body Parts: Topics in Feminist Theory

The seminar is designed to familiarize students with key feminist texts and theories that have shaped the analysis of gender and sexuality.  In 2013, the course will center on how feminist theories have addressed the issues of the body, body parts, and corporeality. Working within transnational and critical race perspectives, course materials will examine: (1) how particular body parts have come to stand in for gender and sex identities; (2) from a range of disciplinary perspectives how and when body parts have been mobilized in the interests of biopower; and (3) the political economy of science and biology in investing the body as the primary site of gender identity. In each section the readings will locate feminist theories in relation to histories of colonialism and postcolonialism, as well as theories of nationalism and gender-based activism. (WAGS 0200 or SOAN 0191) 3 hr. sem. CMP, SOC (S. Moorti)