Having emerged as a branch of critical theory in the early 1990s, queer theory is still a vibrant, interdisciplinary area of study within humanities. This course is designed to provide a philosophical background and outlook on “queer” as both an umbrella term for non-normative bodies, sexualities, and pleasures and an act of subversion of norms surrounding sex, gender, and sexuality. We will trace the philosophical roots of queer theory beginning with Michel Foucault’s first volume of The History of Sexuality and cover some foundational texts that have established what came to be known as queer theory. We will examine the historical conditions of possibility for the emergence of queer theory as a subversive field, coming out of the LGBTI+ movement and developing as a response to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. We will then explore various themes within queer theory, through which we will delineate the realm of queer philosophy as a distinct field. Through our critical engagement, we will acquire tools that would enable us to queer philosophy itself.

The philosophical underpinnings of queer theory are various and rich. Our exploration in this course, however, will not only be limited to uncovering the philosophical within queer studies at large, but through our engagement with numerous queer theorists, we will attempt to show the work of queer philosophy, at the intersection of theory and praxis. In so doing, we will not only rethink the philosophical import of queer theory, but also rethink philosophy, as it bears on social and political life.

In this graduate seminar, participants must bring questions and comments on the assigned readings for each session, which will in turn serve to orient class discussion. All assigned readings can be found on ODTUCLASS.