RLRL3320 · Romance Languages and Literatures
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
An introductory survey of some of the most important moments, figures, debates, and texts in the history of same-sex desire and behavior in the West (Europe and the USA). The course will span the centuries from classical antiquity all the way to, and including, the watershed event of the NYC Stonewall Uprising of 1969, often seen as marking the effective launch of the modern gay rights movement. We will chart the ever-evolving understanding of same-sex desire and behavior on the part of both legal, medical, and religious authorities as well as the private individuals living that reality. Also examined will be the justifications given by church and state for the persecution of gay people over the centuries, as well as the attempts by gay people to fight against that persecution. Our evidence will embrace a wide variety of primary sources, both textual and visual (film and art).
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
— / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
— / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
— / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
— / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
—
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect the evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Available section-level results across semesters.
Fall 2023
1 section