HIST 321 - THE HISTORY OF SEXUAL CULTURE
It is often claimed that one the defining features of the 21st century is the sudden collapse of sexual restraints that had been accepted for just about all of the recorded past. Is this a true view of the past or just an idea that many people wish to believe regardless of the facts? A course on the history of sexual cultures provides the perspective to answer such a question. Though historians have been slow to take up the subject, the history of sexuality is capable of offering important insights into the human condition.
This course will cover sexual practices and norms mainly in the West (Europe and North America) and mainly over the past 200 years (but with some attention to the Ancient and Medieval heritage). We will consider sexual cultures from two intertwining perspectives: 1) the changing meanings of sexual behavior inside and outside marriage and 2) the politics of sexual behavior (that is, efforts to regulate, repress, and encourage particular behaviors and attitudes).
This class will be less of a lecture course then most other 300-level history courses. More often than not, the class meetings will consist of discussions of assigned readings. Student who enroll are assumed to have made a commitment to attend the classes faithfully and keep up with the readings, which will amount to about 150 pages a week.
There will be a mid-term exam, a final, and one paper (10-15 pages). Participation in class discussions will be a significant part of your grade.