General provisions

The course is a programme course within the Master programmes of the Department of History.

Entry requirements

Admission to a Master programme within the Faculty of arts.

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to:

- describe a number of themes in the study of the history of sexuality in Europe and America from ca. 1500 to the present

- critically evaluate and apply different conceptual perspectives employed in the study of sexuality

- define research topics suitable to contribute to historical knowledge, and to analyse the topics and present the analyses in concise and comprehensible ways,

- use and draw conclusions from primary sources.

Content

This course is intended to give a thematic overview of sex and sexuality in the West since about the fifteenth century. It touches on themes of sexuality and religion; gender, sexuality and the great European witch-craze; sodomy/same-sex love in the early modern period; the impact of the Scientific revolution on attitudes toward gender and race; Colonialism and sexuality; both pre- and post-gay liberation; Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll (the Sexual Revolution), the rise of the Christian Right in America, and the impact of the Internet on sexual identities and practices.

Instruction

The course will consist of a number of seminars and/or tutorials focusing on specific themes and questions. Seminar discussions will be based on mandatory literature list and primary sources including music listening assignments, films and websites. To achieve the learning outcomes, students must to take an active part in the seminar discussions partly by prepared contributions regarding literature and sources, partly by constructive responses to the ongoing discussion.

Assessment

Assessment will be based upon writing a fifteen-page paper based primarily upon one or more primary sources. References are required. There will not be an oral assignment, however all students will be expected to contribute to class discussion on a regular basis. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The following grades will be used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Failed (U).

Other regulations

The course is open to students admitted to a Master programme within the faculty of arts.