Queer Theory

Queer theory promotes the study of queers from drag queens to butches, from femmes to transgenders. By taking queer bodies as its central focus, it urges learners to explore the relationship between sex, gender expression, and sexual desire. The study of queer history, arts, and communities also informs queer theory. Gay and Lesbian Literature (English 391/591) allows for an exploration of all these aspects of queer culture. Through the reading of a variety of texts produced by queers (from love letters to poetry to drama to film), the course promotes discussion of such topics as sexual expression, homophobia, heterosexism, gender masquerade, and queer protest movements, to name only a few of the potential topics addressed in the course.