ENGL 384L: Reading Sexualities: Queer Theory

This course brings the analysis of sexual difference to the center of cultural critique, revealing the web of sexual ideology that underlies texts and everyday life. Through the close reading of literary works and classic texts of queer theory, the course deconstructs the identity categories that usually shape this conversation, including not only 'gay' and 'lesbian,' but also 'heterosexual,' 'man,' and 'woman.' This course offers a survey of queer criticism from foundational works in the field to exciting new directions that help us to identify queer forms of time, emotion, and literary expression.