2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences46:Gender Studies
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Makiko Iseri
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S439
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course aims to enable students to learn about basic concepts and theories of gender and sexuality, and gain a critical perspective on the structure of various norms that are inseparable from our bodies, desires and lives. Through a comprehensive study of the key issues in the field of queer theory, the course provides students with an appropriate and critical understanding of contemporary debates on gender and sexuality.
Course description and aims
Through this course, students will be able to:
(1) acquire the necessary knowledge of key terms, concepts, and topics to properly understand the current debates on gender and sexuality.
(2) acquire a fundamental attitude and critical approaches imperative to participate in discussions on gender and sexuality.
(3) Understand and apply perspectives of queer theory and critically analyse today’s socio-cultural phenomena associated with gender and sexuality.
Keywords
gender, sexuality, feminism, queer theory, disability studies
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course is lecture-based, followed by small-group discussions when appropriate.
Students are required to write some comments on issues raised by the lecturer at the end of each class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction: Gender, Sexuality, and the Body | Students will learn about the concepts of gender and sexuality and will understand the basic attitude of this class. |
| Class 2 | Queer Theory: AIDS Epidemic, Intersectionality, and Defiance | You will learn about the social and academic context of the beginning of queer theory as an academic field. |
| Class 3 | Closet and Coming Out | Learn about Eve K. Sedgwick's Epistemology of the Closet, one of the key texts of queer theory. |
| Class 4 | Performativity of Gender | Learn about Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity |
| Class 5 | Transgender and In/Visibility | Students will learn about the perspectives of transgender studies. *Students will be required to submit a mid-term paper. |
| Class 6 | Neoliberalism and the New Homonormativity | Learn about neoliberalism and the politics of 'LGBT mainstreaming'. |
| Class 7 | Queer Theory Meets Disability Studies | Learn about the intersection between heteronormativity and ableism. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
河口和也, 『クィア・スタディーズ（思考のフロンティア）』岩波書店, 2003.
菊地夏野・堀江有里・飯野由里子編著『クィア・スタディーズを開く1』晃洋書房, 2019.
サラ・サリー, 竹村和子訳『ジュディス・バトラー（現代思想ガイドブック）』青土社, 2005.
ゲイル・サラモン, 藤高和輝訳『身体を引き受ける—トランスジェンダーと物質性のレトリック』以文社, 2019.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Midterm paper: 20%
Comment cards: 30% (5%×6 times)
Final paper: 50%
*Full attendance is compulsory. The instructor will fail a student if she/he does not attend at least two-thirds of the classes.
Related courses
- LAH.H308 ： Special Lecture: Gender
Prerequisites
・ No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable.
・ If a student continues to use abusive language or behaviour, such as intentional discriminatory remarks or harassment, even after being warned by the instructor, the student may be asked to leave the room or may not be allowed to attend the class. In such cases, no credit will be given.
・ Depending on the number of enrolled students, the content, schedule and grading ratio of the course may change. Students who wish to take this course must attend the first class.