WGSS 250
Gender, Sexuality and the Modern Stage Spring 2014
Division II Writing Skills Exploring Diversity Initiative
Cross-listed COMP 247 / THEA 250 / ENGL 253
This is not the current course catalog

This interdisciplinary tutorial explores aspects of gender sexuality, performativity, and representations of the body in modern theatre and art. Close analysis of plays by dramatists -such as Sophie Treadwell, Lillian Hellman, Caryl Churchill, Milcha Sanchez-Scott, Ntozake Shange, Tony Kushner, Tim Miller, Naomi Iizuka, Paula Vogel, Suzan-Lori Parks, Tarell McCraney, and Sarah Kane – will occur alongside consideration of works by both artists and celebrities, such as Cindy Sherman, Karen Finley and Lady Gaga. Our approach to this varied material will be comparative and will be enriched by readings of select work by contemporary theorists, such as Judith Butler, bell hooks, Cherríe Moraga, Eve K. Sedgwick, and Donna Haraway. This course meets the criteria of the Exploring Diversity Initiative as it draws focus towards the diversity of race, class and ethnicity represented by the subjects of our study as well as towards the political power of theatre and performance.