Sexuality in Comparative Perspective

This course explores the social aspects of human sexuality, and its interrelationship with sex/gender, race/ethnicity and class. Sexuality and sexual orientations do not just happen: a complex intersection of social and personal forces shape sexual identities. Sex, sexuality and sexual orientations are, thus, cultural forms. In the contemporary world, heterosexuality occupies a core place as "natural", normal and moral. The course will thus consider the social constitution of heterosexuality as normal and moral, and hence its status as a dominant text, and its ramifications thereof. The issues for discussion will involve such questions as what constitutes "normal" and "moral" sexuality and sexual orientation in different cultures, through different times? How was this "normal" sexuality accomplished, and contested? What are some of the ramifications thereof for sexuality and sexual orientations in contemporary social worlds, given especially the globalisation of sexual literacy ?