BMA-AMED-320.01
Theorizing the Body and Embodiment (Szubjektivitás, gender, test) in autumn 2014
Federmayer Éva, Wed 14:00–15:30, R439, host: DAS (R306)
5-credit lecture, 30 h/term; strong prereq: BMA-AMED-220 230
description & set texts
This is a seminar course that aims to help students to improve their grasp on a set of theoretical arguments about subjectivity and the gendered body that may well serve as a tool-box of ideas for their MA Thesis in literature, culture, and film. We will examine major discussions of how subjectivity and corporeality are interrelated, focusing on the effects of cultural and ideological inscriptions, the technologies and performances that produce the bodies that matter (so as to become subjects) and the ones that don’t. Drawing on gender queer and body studies, the course also seeks to probe examples of subversions that challenge normative representational systems in order to imagine alternative itineraries of subject formation. The class also requires active participation of students to discuss a major text (by Bordo, Braidotti, Butler, Grosz, Kristeva, Russo, Schepper-Hughes, Martin) on a weekly basis. Syllabus with Readings Sept 10 Introduction Sept 17 Body and sociology Arthur W. Frank’s model Sept 24, Oct 1 Cultural embodiment and Corporeal Feminism Susan Bordo, Feminism, Foucault and the Politics of the Body Elizabeth Grosz, Sexed Bodies Judith Butler, Bodies that Matter, Introduction Teresa de Lauretis, The Technology of Gender Oct. 8, Oct 15 Écriture Féminine Julia Kristeva, Stabat Mater Ann Rosalind Jones, Writing the Body: Towards an Understanding of L’Écriture Féminine Oct 22 Theorizing the monstrous Rosi Braidotti, Mothers, Monsters, Machines Mary Russo, Carnival and Theory Oct 29 FALL BREAK NOV 5-19 READING-WRITING PERIOD ASSIGNMENTS: 1) Read the 3 essays (Judith Butler, Bodies that Matter, Introduction; Teresa de Lauretis, The Technology of Gender; Mary Russo, Carnival and Theory) and write a position paper (MLA style, parenthetical citations, double spaced, 5 pages, a) probing their argument as well as b) highlighting your personal take on them. See the instructions on the position paper in another document. SEND YOUR PAPER IN ATTACHMENT TO federmayer.eva@gmail.com by Nov23, midnight. 2) Pre-watch Google Baby and take notes for the upcoming discussion in class. Nov 26 Queer bodies, experimental desires Barbara Creed, Lesbian Bodies Dec 3, 10. Technology, Cyborgs and posthuman subjectivities Donna Haraway, Manifesto for Cyborgs Nancy Schepper-Hughes, the Global Traffic in Human Organs Emily Martin, The Egg and the Sperm: How Science has Constructed a Romance Based on Stereotypical Male-Female Roles + Discussion of Google Baby Dec 17: Endterm paper on Google Baby due.
requirements & assessment
Requirements: attendance, active participation in discussions, oral presentation, midterm exam (see written assignments in Reading-Writing Period), endterm paper; Readings: available in pdf Grading: all activities and assignments graded, then averaged into the final grade; the endterm paper could up- or downgrade your final grade by 0.5 grade.