Intro Lecture
- 1. LGBT Studies: Sexuality and Sexual Identity in American History
- 2. Topics of inquiry 1. How concepts of sexual identity, gender roles and gender identity are formed within specific historical contexts and how they change over time 2. What same-sex activities and experiences reveal about American society Time period: 17 th century to the late 20 th century Starting point: Early Modern era
- 3. How does study of the Early Modern world inform us about same-sex history? Basic premise: sexual orientation IS essential – NOT culturally constructed Same-sex behavior not necessarily and in all cases attached to personal identity: Individuals not necessarily defined by who they have sex with How they have sex sometimes important Gender roles, masculinity and femininity Categories of homosexual and heterosexual did not exist until late 19 th century But evidence of subcultures in urban settings (esp London&Paris& American northeast)
- 4. Problem of evidence in early historical inquiries “Smoking gun” difficult to find in early history What counts as same-sex orientation, behavior, identity? What type of evidence?
- 5. Sources – different perspectives and agendas Court cases, legislation – Public scrutiny of private behavior Goal: ordered society Diaries, letters – Evidence of behavior, feelings, self-concepts Sermons – prescriptions for behavior Novels, travel accounts, memoirs entertainment, instruction
- 6. History of the history 1960s: recovering gay icons 1970s+: history of repression and resistance Late 20 th century to present: historical agency, social history (What did it mean to be a person of same-sex orientation before the 20 th century? How did they behave? What did they think about themselves, their desires, their sexual partners?)
- 7. Chronology – Beginning with Early Modern Europe European attitudes, beliefs and laws brought to North America Informed encounters with Native Americans Dictated social and legal strictures in new communities American participation in trans-Atlantic culture
- 8. Structure of the course Lectures (dates and general topics on syllabus) Readings (Blackboard assignments and texts) Writing (papers and exams) Specific requirements&information (syllabus)