Graduate Seminar in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Fall 2000

Walter L. Williams, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology & Gender Studies

Office hours: meet with professor at the end of class to arrange an
appointment, or call by telephone.

This class will focus on social science research relating to the various
social constructions of same-sex eroticism. We will analyze cross-cultural, historical, and contemporary perspectives on female and male homosexuality, and the emergence of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender identities. The seminar is designed to appeal to students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Because another USC class (English 630: Theorizing Gay and Lesbian Literatures, taught by Professors Joseph Boone and David Roman) deals with literary analysis, this class will not cover that topic.

REQUIRED READING:
International Gay and Lesbian Review (ONE Institute Press)
internet address: www.onepress.org
Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide To subscribe write: PO Box 1809
Cambridge MA 02238-1809 ($18 annual)
James Sears & Walter Williams, eds. Overcoming Heterosexism and
Homophobia: Strategies That Work (Columbia Univ. Press)
Eight other books of your choice, in consultation with the professor.

REFERENCE SOURCE:
ONE Institute & Archives: The International Gay and Lesbian Heritage
Research Center 909 West Adams Blvd. (four blocks north of
USC main campus, enter on Scarff St.) Los Angeles CA 90007.
213-741-0094 or 310-854-0271 http://www.oneinstitute.org

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
1. Class participation and the quality of thought in your discussion will
become part of your grade. Since this is a seminar based on discussion,please do not miss class unless it is absolutely necessary. If you are absent, you will be graded down, since you are not participating in discussions. (10% of grade)

2. The major emphasis of this seminar is for each person to do outside
readings of books, in a wide variety of topics relating to
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender studies, and writing EIGHT book reviews. One review should be turned in at least every other week during the course of the semester, but they may be done sooner if possible. Make sure reviews are concise, and no more than 2,500 words each. Each review should be clearly written, without jargon, and consisting of an ABSTRACT (briefly stating the major themes and conclusions of the book, for the benefit of those who may not have a chance to read it) and a CRITIQUE (giving your own evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the book, explaining how well the author(s) accomplished their purpose, and where this book fits into and
makes contributions to the larger field of GLBT studies). Because so many new books are being published in this field, emphasis will be placed on the newest important books.
Sources of books: Since the professor of this class is the editor of the
International Gay and Lesbian Review, the professor will bring books to class each week which may be BORROWED from the ONE Institute International Gay and Lesbian Archives, which is located at USC. You must return these books unmarked and undamaged after finishing each one, or pay for its replacement.
You will have the opportunity, if you wish, for your reviews to be
considered by the editor for inclusion in the International Gay and Lesbian Review, gaining you the advantage of having publications to list on your Vitae. (80% of grade)

4. Your final paper, due by the exam date, will analyze the strengths
and weaknesses of the essays in Overcoming Heterosexism and Homophobia. Do
not be afraid to be critical, since this collection was the first book with
this focus, and is only one step toward a better understanding of the most
effective strategies for reducing prejudice against sexual minorities. In
your final paper on this book, you should also incorporate ideas that you learned this semester suggesting other effective strategies and techniques to reduce heterosexism. (10% of grade)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF TOPICS
(dates may change somewhat due to guest speakers)

August 30
INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASS:
Introduction to the professor, introduce class members, go over syllabus,
students choose readings or projects.
Tour ONE Institute 909 W. Adams Blvd. (enter on Scarff Street)
******Assignment to read for next two weeks: first book for review

September 6
SAME-SEX EROTICISM IN NON-WESTERN CULTURES
Native Americans, India, Melanesia, Africa, China, Japan.

September 13
SAME-SEX EROTICISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CULTURES
Walter Williams’ unpublished research on Indonesia and Polynesia.
Guest speaker: Dr. Peter Jackson (Australian National University):
Thailand and Buddhism

September 20
SAME-SEX EROTICISM IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDEAST
Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and the origins of religious homophobia in
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

September 27
SAME-SEX EROTICISM IN EUROPE AND AMERICA TO 1940
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Quinn (ONE Institute)

October 4
THE RISE OF THE GAY AND LESBIAN MOVEMENT(S) TO 1977

October 11
THE LESBIAN AND GAY MOVEMENT(S) 1977-1987
Guest Speaker: Dr. Yolanda Retter (ONE Institute)

October 18
THE LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL MOVEMENTS SINCE 1987.

October 25
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PATTERNS
Guest Speaker: Dr. Peter Nardi (Pitzer College)

November 1
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF IDENTITY
Guest Speaker: Dr. Mary Andres (USC Counseling Center)

November 8
DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES: YOUTH, COMING OUT, RELATIONSHIPS, CAREERS, ECONOMICS,
AGING
(lesbian and gay parenting, intergenerational, etc.)

November 15
LESBIAN AND GAY PEOPLE OF COLOR
Guest Speakers: Dr. Alice Hom, Dr. Sylvia Rhue

November 22
TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX PEOPLE
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jake Hale (California State Univ., Northridge)

November 30
POLITICAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HETEROSEXISM & HOMOPHOBIA
Court litigation. Voting blocs, Influencing public officials, passing
legislation, Electing lesbians and gays to public office. Boycotts,
Peaceful demonstrations, Violent actions. Maximizing effectiveness.
*******Assignment to read:
James Sears and Walter Williams, eds., Overcoming Heterosexism
and Homophobia: Strategies That Work (Columbia U. Press)
Write a final paper critiquing this book, due by final exam date
Guest Speaker: Dr. David Cruz (USC Law School)

December 7 [last class]
NON-POLITICAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HETEROSEXISM
Persuasive Strategies: One-to-one dialogue with family, friends, and
co-workers. Media, economics, educational programs, counseling.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Chuck Stewart (ONE Institute)

SAMPLE OF VIDEOTAPE TITLES AVAILABLE AT ONE INSTITUTE
“Word Is Out” (45 minutes) personal testimony of lesbians and gay men in
1970s, about homophobia.
“Silent Pioneers” (30 minutes) gay and lesbian elderly.
“Positive Image” (30 minutes) parents of lesbians and gays speak.
“Who’s Afraid of Project Ten?” (30 minutes) gay and lesbian teens.
“The Life and Times of Harvey Milk” (50 minutes) gay politics.

If you have appropriate syllabi, please contact CLGH chair Karen Krahulik at Karen_Krahulik@brown.edu.