GAY AND LESBIAN HISTORY

WGST 325-01

Tuesdays, 5:00-7:50

Instructor: Ann Marie Nicolosi

Office Hours: Tues. 3:30-4:30, Weds. 2:00-3:00, Fri. 11:15-12:15

Telephone: x2276

E-Mail nicolosi@tcnj.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In this course we will examine gay and lesbian history in twentieth-century America. We will explore the historical narratives and constructions of queer identities, and the major events and movements that have defined the American gay and lesbian experience. This course will encompass social, cultural and political movements, as well as the changing perceptions of queer America.

COURSE TEXTS:

The Following books are required and are available at the bookstore:

Peiss, Kathy, ed. Major Problems in the History of American Sexuality (hereafter referred to as Peiss) New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2002

D'Emilio, John. Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities: The Making of a Homosexual Minority in the United States, 1940-1970, 2^nd Edition (hereafter referred to as D'Emilio) Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998.

Chauncey, George. Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World, 1890-1940 (hereafter referred to as Chauncey) New York: Basic Books, 1995.

Faderman, Lillian. Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America (Hereafter referred to as Faderman) New York: Penguin Books, 1991.

Berube, Allan. Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II (hereafter referred to as Berube) New York: The Free Press, 1990.

Jay, Karla. Tales of the Lavender Menace: A Memoir of Liberation New York: Basic Books, 1999.

Kennedy, Elizabeth Lapovsky and Madeline D. Davis. Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community (hereafter referred to as Kennedy and Davis) New York: Penguin Books, 1994.

Jagose, Annamarie. Queer Theory: An Introduction New York: New York University Press, 1996.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Regular attendance, informed participation and Women's History Month events: 10%. It is imperative that you come to class prepared. You must attend The Lesbian Herstory Archives presentation on March 25 and at least one more event for Women's History Month and write a 1-2 page reaction paper on each event.

One 7-10 page research paper: 20%

One 3-5 page Critical Reading Reviews: 20%

Oral presentation: 10%

Class Participation: 10%

Mid-term exam: 20%

Final exam: 20%

ANY PAPERS HANDED IN LATE WILL LOSE A GRADE PER DAY. 

COURSE READINGS:

(*posted on SOCS)

January 21	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
January 28	THEORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY Peiss, chap. 1 Jagose, Queer Theory
February 4	THE LATE 19^TH CENTURY Peiss, chap. 6: documents 1-2, 4-5, Smith-Rosenberg and Hansen essays Faderman, Introduction and chap. 1
February 11	EARLY 20^TH CENTURY-1930s *Terry, Jennifer. "Medicalizing Homosexuality" *Somerville, Siobhan. “Scientific Racism and the Invention of the Homosexual Body” Chauncey, Introduction and Part I Faderman, chap. 2
February 18	Chauncey, Parts II and III (skim) Faderman, chaps. 3 and 4 (skim) Kennedy and Davis, chap. 2 Peiss, Chap. 10: Documents 5 and 6, Katz essay *Garber, Eric, A Spectacle in Color: The Lesbian and Gay Subculture of Jazz Age Harlem
February 25	WORLD WAR II ERA READING REVIEWS DUE Faderman, chap. 5 Berube, Introduction and chaps. 1-5
March 4	No Class
March 11	No Class-Spring Break
March 18	Berube, chaps. 6-10 In class video: Coming Out Under Fire
March 25	MIDTERM
April 1	1950s AND THE ERA OF REPRESSION Peiss, chap. 11 D'Emilio, Introduction, Parts 1 and 2 Kennedy and Davis, Chaps. 3, 4, & 5 (6 is optional)
April 8	THE REVOLUTION AND BEYOND RESEARCH PAPERS DUE D'Emilio, Parts 3 and 4 Faderman, chap. 8 Peiss, chap. 12: document 7, Allyn and Stein essays In class video: Before Stonewall
April 15	Jay, Tales of the Lavender Menace
April 22	Faderman, chap. 9 and epilogue Peiss, chap 13: documents 3-6, Bayer essay In class video: The Times of Harvey Milk
April 29	Peiss, Chap. 14: documents 1-3, Weston and Almaguer essays In class video: After Stonewall