Syllabus

SEXUALITY | EMPIRE | DIASPORA
FMST 194M / Spring 2017
Class Meetings: Tue 1230-4pm, Humanities 1 #320
Office Hours: Tue 1030-1130am and by appointment, Hum 1 #441
Gender-neutral restrooms available on second and third floors of Hum 1 and in nearby buildings
Instructor: Neel Ahuja (neel@ucsc.edu; ahuja.sites.ucsc.edu)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This research seminar explores the forms and legacies of imperialism’s sexual politics by studying the public culture of the South Asian diaspora. Comprising the countries of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives, the region known as South Asia has long histories of colonialism and migration that have transformed the cultures of four continents. Focusing on films, music, literature, and political discourse representing people of South Asian descent living outside of the region, we will examine how representations of family, women’s roles, homosexuality, nonbinary genders, dress, consumer practices, and forms of intimacy construct South Asian national and diasporic identities. We will also consider how gender and sexuality are connected to questions of religion, race, caste, class, nationalism, and war, connecting migrant experience to the historical formations of empire in South Asia, Africa, and the Americas. For the research paper, students will develop research questions and methods related to the study of empire and sexuality in a particular transborder context.

REQUIRED READINGS available at the Literary Guillotine
Vijay Prashad, The Karma of Brown Folk
Shani Mootoo, Cereus Blooms at Night

ASSIGNMENTS

      • Weekly blog posts on the course readings (10%)
      • Informed oral participation in discussion (10%)
      • Research project:
        • Thesis, outline, and annotated bibliography (5%)
        • 20p research paper, including all required drafts and reviews (70%)
        • Oral presentation (5%)

POLICIES

    • Attendance. Students are allowed a maximum of 1 absence regardless of the reason for your absence; 2+ absences = F for course.
    • Participation. Complete readings/viewings before the assigned date and contribute informed questions and thoughts. I grade the quality and quantity of your oral comments; please be respectful of others in discussion and speak frequently.
    • Universal Access: I strive to make the classroom accessible to all students regardless of disability status, illness, language background, or gender identity. Students who require a specific support/accommodation (notetaker, interpreter, audio support, etc.) should contact the Disability Resource Center and/or the instructor as appropriate. Feel free to contact me if I can facilitate or enhance your participation in any way.
    • Devices. Electronic devices help us organize course content, but they are also persistent distractions in the classroom. I will begin the quarter allowing students to use laptops and tablets (no cellphones) for notetaking, viewing online readings, and consulting our course website only. You are not allowed to use your device for social media or other sites and apps unrelated to class. Do not work on assignments for other classes during our seminar. Please obtain paper copies of the assigned books rather than ebooks. Electronics misuse may result in grade deductions up to an F for participation. If there is widespread abuse of the electronics policy, I may prohibit the use of electronics and require students to print readings for in-class use.

UC-Santa Cruz / Spring 2017