Queer Activism and Public Issues
A. Freya Thimsen
English
Queer activism about public issues sometimes strives to persuade audiences in mainstream ways. Sometimes, however, queer activism is more radical about love, family, political organization, and community. Many forms of queer movement attempt to speak to mainstream audiences and make radical progress, but what happens when they come into conflict?
Students in this course will examine multiple examples of historical and contemporary queer political rhetoric. These cases may include the Stonewall demonstrations, the AIDS activism of ACT UP, marriage equality campaigns, Pride parades, campaigns for trans rights, and others. As we study these examples we will ask: what is the relationship between radical activism that strongly rejects political and gender/sexuality norms and more conventional activism that attempts to develop stronger ties between LGBTQ+ politics and mainstream progressive and liberal politics and cis/het lifestyles? How is queer history being told differently today to include the contributions of trans people and people of color? As we read history we will also get to know some queer organizations, leaders, and spaces in Bloomington.
Students who enroll in Queer Activism and Public Issues will move onto campus early on August 4th. Students in this course will live together for the first week of the program in the Teter Spectrum Living Learning Community. On August 11th, students placed in this course will move out of Teter and into their fall housing assignment for the rest of the IFS program and into the fall semester. Students placed in this course will be charged an additional $25 per day to extend their housing and meal plan from August 4th-August 10th for a total of $350. Scholarships may be available to cover the additional housing fees. Please reach out to ifs@iu.edu with your questions about this course.
This course is eligible for honors credit through Hutton Honors College.
Catalog Information: COLL-S 103 FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN A&H