Although we took a slight detour last week down the road of queer theories as applied to trans issues in order to accommodate our visiting lecturer, DC-based feminist and queer activist Shannon Wyss, we’re going to get back onto our current topic of constructing masculinity/ies for Thursday’s class. But don’t worry: As you know from your syllabus, we’ll get back to queer theories in a few weeks, so just be patient!
For this week, though, we’re
reading a fantastic book by feminist sociologist CJ Pascoe. Entitled Dude, You’re a Fag, the book examines
the construction of masculinity/ies among students at a public high school in
northern California. And because we all know that you can’t construct
masculinity/ies without also constructing femininity/ies (and vice versa), Pascoe
looks at that, too!
In addition to using the Weekly
Worksheet, which is posted on Blackboard, I suggest that you also think about
how to use Gould, Martin and the chapter we’ve already read in Connell as
theoretical tools to help you make sense of Pascoe. Remember, formal education
(i.e., schools) are a significant component of the GENDER POLICE. For example:
- Gould’s “X: A Fabulous Child’s Story” (from Week 2) demonstrates some of the difficulties and challenges of raising a child without gender. Where do those difficulties and challenges show up at River High?
- Martin argues in the chapter from two weeks ago that, in addition to the overt focus on men in the content of school curricula (i.e., books, courses, etc.), there are HIDDEN CURRICULA at work, as well. In what specific ways does the HIDDEN CURRICULUM manifest at River High?
- Connell discusses the need to think about masculinities (plural) and demonstrates the existence of a PATRIARCHAL DIVIDEND. How can you use these concepts to sort out what’s going on in Pascoe’s study?
As a little teaser, here’s Pascoe
talking about her book and why it matters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_nqYnjfe_8&feature=youtu.be
And just in case you might get lulled into thinking that all this is just common sense and there's no homophobia or sexism anymore and that the two aren't inherently connected, scroll down on the YouTube page and take a look at the posted comments while remembering all the potential consequences for transgressing "normative" femininity or "hegemonic" masculinity.
Please remember that the best part of
my job is getting to know my students, so please don’t hesitate to come on by
during my office hours if ever you have any questions or just want to chat! If
you can’t make my office hours, then just e-mail me, and we can arrange an
alternative meeting time.
Happy reading, and I’ll see you in
class.
