Ways of Thinking Gender

Although the word “gender” is not univocal, it can be said in general terms that it refers to a set of practices that attempt to normalize or dislocate the way in which we present ourselves in the eyes of others. In this sense, the question of identity, of the body and of desire are crucial issues in gender theory. This course traces the evolution of gender theory from its feminist foundations to contemporary debates in queer and posthumanist thought.
Beginning with Simone de Beauvoir, we examine the construction of gendered subjectivity and the roots of feminist existentialism. Luce Irigaray expands the conversation by critiquing phallocentrism and introducing sexual difference as a framework for thinking beyond male-centered discourse.
We then turn to Gayle Rubin, whose analysis of the sex/gender system and the regulation of sexuality lays the groundwork for critical engagements with power, desire, and normativity. Michel Foucault’s work on biopower, surveillance, and the history of sexuality further complicates our understanding of how gender and sexuality are disciplined and constructed through institutions and discourse.
Building on these critiques, Judith Butler introduces the concept of gender performativity, challenging the stability of identity and emphasizing the role of discourse and iteration in the formation of gendered subjects.
Sara Ahmed brings a phenomenological perspective, questioning how bodies are “oriented” within social spaces and how queer disorientation disrupts normative ways of being. Finally, Karen Barad expands performativity beyond the realm of discourse into materiality, offering a posthumanist feminist perspective that interrogates the entanglement of matter, agency, and identity.
By the end of the course, students will develop a critical understanding of gender as both a theoretical framework and a practical means of engaging with contemporary socio-political issues.

Course Information

Week 1: Introduction, Simone de Beauvoir
Week 2: Simone de Beauvoir
Week 3: Luce Irigaray
Week 4: Luce Irigaray
Week 5: Gayle Rubin
Week 6: Gayle Rubin
Week 7: Michel Foucault (Mini test)
Week 8: Michel Foucault
Week 9: Judith Butler
Week 10: Judith Butler
Week 11: Judith Butler
Week 12: Sara Ahmed
Week 13: Karen Barad
Week 14: Final exam
Week 15: Feedback

Course Goals

-Understand key philosophical approaches to gender, identity, and the body in Western Gender Theory.
-Develop a foundational understanding of how gender theory has evolved from feminist existentialism to contemporary queer and posthumanist thought.
-Analyze and critique fundamental texts in gender theory, exploring concepts such as sexual difference, performativity, biopower, and materiality.
-Identify and articulate connections between gender theory and broader socio-political structures, including normativity, power, and institutional regulation.
-Reflect on their own assumptions about gender, identity, and embodiment through engagement with diverse theoretical perspectives.

Course Schedule and Evaluation

For a detailed course schedule, please visit KULASIS.

1 Active Participation: 10%
2 Mini Written Test: 20%
3 Short Essay Assignment: 20%
4 Final Written Exam (In-Person): 50%