GSA Interdisciplinary Graduate Colloquium October 28, 2009
“Gender Studies & Queer Theory”
Deadline for submission of abstracts: October 16, 2009
From the popularity of Lady Gaga and our fascination with Michael Jackson to the passing of California's Preposition 8 and the Miss America controversy last year, gender politics and sexuality have proven to be truly timely topics. As American identity becomes increasingly global and pluralistic, so too do categories of gender, sex, and sexual preference; we recognize this plurality in various forms of popular culture and media, including films like Milk and Brokeback Mountain , as well as daily talk shows on sex-change operations. Whether through political debates about the sanctity of marriage, the creation of transsexual student groups on campus, and/or the popularity of Queer Studies, identity politics continue to fascinate us all. As scholars, teachers, thinkers, etc., how can we position ourselves in relation to these timely topics? How do sexual politics influence our world, from daily interactions to college classroom discussions? To what extend does gender seem socially crafted, culturally contracted, and/or a performance?
This interdisciplinary panel, entitled "Gender Studies & Queer Theory" , explores the scientific, psychological, philosophical, literary, historical, and economic aspects of gay culture, sexual identity, and gender distinctions (or lack thereof).
We welcome scholarly papers, presentations, talks, etc. that explore ideas about gender, sexuality, sexual preference, and/or any other aspect of identity politics that you find helpful to this discussion.
Some Potential Topics:
1.) What is gender?
2.) Homosexuality and the Catholic tradition
3.) Gender and public discourse/religious identity/civic responsibility/family values
4.) Feminism and embodiment
5.) Queer realities of transgender and intersex
6.) Queer Approaches to Literature
7.) Transsexuality on Campus
8.) A Psychological History of Homosexuality
9.) Identity Politics on Television, in Film, etc.
10.) Representations of Gays in Art and Music
11.) Gays in Corporate America (Think: Tom Hanks in Philadelphia)
12.) Historical studies of the relationship between the sciences and feminist thought
13.) Discussions of the role of the sciences/humanities in supporting modes of thought that perpetuate bad practices
14.) Discussions of the sciences’/humanitites’ emancipatory potential for women and others
Please submit abstracts of no more than 300 words to intergradcolloquium@gmail.com by Friday, October 16, 2009.
