Courses

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.

This course is eligible for honors credit through Hutton Honors College. 

Catalog Information: COLL-S 103  FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN A&H

Instructor:

A. Freya Thimsen

Email:

athimsen@indiana.edu

Department:

English

Freya Thimsen received her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Indiana University. She teaches courses on controversial politics and culture, including feminist rhetoric and the rhetoric and argumentation tactics of other social movements. Her most recent research and publications focus on the interaction between populism, radical and conventional activism, and issues of economic inequality and the environment.

GenEd Information: Approved for the Arts & Humanities requirement of the IU Bloomington General Education program.