Topics in Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
CAS WS 505
May be repeated for credit as topic changes.
SPRG 2025 Schedule
| Section | Instructor | Location | Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Cariani | COM 212 | M 2:30 pm-5:15 pm | Topic for Spring 2025: Feminist Killjoys & Cynical Queers: Intersectional Theories of Affect This class is designed to provide an upper-level examination of the “affective turn” in the humanities and social sciences, which has been marked by a shift in attention towards bodily sensation, structures of feeling, and modes of relationality. In this course, we will meet feminist killjoys, grapple with queer negativity, engage with Afro-pessimism, and encounter crip feelings. We will survey intersectional theories of affect and emotion with particular focus on cultural constructions of happiness, pessimism, joy, shame, anger, optimism, disgust, sadness, and compassion. Through our readings and discussions, we will work together to develop a critical framework to address vital questions such as how do hierarchies of sensation impact notions of ability, whose emotions are socially regulated, how do affects circulate in the media, and why do certain affects become associated with particular marginalized subject positions? We will also consider how affect and emotionality play key roles in strengthening social bonds, creating collective identities, and motivating action. Readings will include work by theorists like Sara Ahmed, Lauren Berlant, Leo Bersani, Ann Cvetovich, Saidiya Hartman, Brian Massumi, José Esteban Muñoz, Sianne Ngai, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Elizabeth Wilson. |
Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.
