Course Syllabus

 

Welcome to our class

  

Semester & Location:	Fall 2024
Type & Credits:	3-credits Core class
Study Tours:	Short tour: Malmø (Sep 11-13) Long tour: Amsterdam (Oct 6-11)
Major Disciplines:	Gender Studies, Public Policy, Sociology
Faculty Members:	Helle Rytkønen
Time & Place:	Mondays and Thursdays 10.05-11.25 Nørregade 7, B11

Course Description

This course is about prostitution as it relates to gender, sexuality, policy, legislation, gender norms and migration. We study the sex trade with a special focus on Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands as sex work is legal in all three countries but each country's approach to sex work is still quite different.

We will explore questions such as: What are the causes and consequences of prostitution and sex work more broadly? Is prostitution work or (gendered) exploitation and violence? Why is it a state matter to determine how consenting adults use their bodies? Who are the customers paying for sex? How is global inequality affecting the sex trade? How does sex work relate to gender norms? Should prostitution be legal, illegal or decriminalized? Why? What are the consequences - financially, emotionally, and socially - of sex work?

We will also consider questions like: What is sex work? Is sugar dating, OnlyFan or camming a type of prostitution? Does (some types of) marriage contain elements of an exchange for sex - and is that a form of sex work? 

The aim of the course is to approach prostitution from various points of view and gain insights into the lives of sex workers and the professionals working with them. You will meet activists, NGOs and sex workers in order to broaden your perception and understanding of the complexity of prostitution and you will be introduced to aspects of sex work - porn production, visit to a brothel, etc. - that link our readings to the lived world in the sex industry.

Important concepts we will discuss: consent, agency, erotic capital, stigma and the "whorarchy".

Learning Objectives

• To understand prostitution and sex work as complex sociological and legal phenomenons and how they are related to more "mainstream" relations (like love relations or more casual relations), norms and values.
• To understand how discourse, norms and values shape our perception of prostitution and sex workers by exploring different conceptualizations of sex work (a social problem, a gender issue, a solution, etc.).
• The course does not seek to promote certain views on sex work or sex workers, but the ambition is to make you understand what your personal opinions are shaped by.
• To learn more specifically about prostitution in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands and how the industry is affected by globalization and migration.

Approach to Teaching

This course is our course which means you have a chance to help shape our time together. I provide the framework and have selected texts, guests, visits, etc. to inspire and challenge our understanding of prostitution and the sex trade but this class only really takes off if you take some ownership and participate - by listening to your classmates and by voicing your opinion or exploring a different view point.

The class consists of a combination of short introductions to the material and more interactive activities such as class discussions, field studies and meetings with guests whose work is directly linked to prostitution (both pro and con-side) as well as anti-trafficking work.

A safe and brave space

The class is discussion based and I encourage you to be open, curious and respectful during your own and your classmates' learning experiences. Remember to challenge ideas - not people. 

Accessibility and Accommodations

Your learning experience in this class is important to me.  If you have an approved academic accommodation with DIS, please make sure I receive your accommodations letter within two weeks of the start of the semester. If you can think of other ways, I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your accommodations, please contact Academic Support at acadsupp@dis.dk.

Academic Honesty:

You are a part of an intellectual community and I expect that you abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in your academic work. This means that you do your own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Experience shows that if we are stressed or pressed for time, we fall into bad habits, including "borrowing" ideas from others without proper citation. Don't do it. Instead, let me know that your time management went down the drain and we'll find a solution.

ChatGPT and other AI bots: 

We are entering a pivotal time with the introduction of ChatGPT and other AI bots and I am curious to explore how they can be helpful in our learning and not just used as an easy work-around. Feel free to use ChatGPT and other AI bots - for brainstorming, idea generation, drafts, etc. but remember to apply good academic practices: consider biases and omissions, check the information, cite sources and make it clear what you have used ChatGPT or other AI bots for. In the end, the work should be yours but if ChatGPT and other AI bots can be your assistance in the process, excellent.

Grading

A word about grades: I realize that grades are important to you, but try not to let your anxiety about grades deter you from taking intellectual risks and learning just for the joy of learning. Also, I do not grade to punish or reward you just as your grade is not an indication of my evaluation of you as a person. I grade you to give you my honest assessment of your academic performance at this point in time.

Attendance:  Because we are creating a learning community where we learn from each other and take intellectual chances together, your presence is important. We are therefore all expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops, field studies and study tours. If you are not feeling well - mentally or physically - or miss a class to celebrate a religious holiday, let me know beforehand and make sure to ask me or your fellow students about the work you must do to keep up in class. 

The semester goes by super quickly so it is crucial for your learning that you stay on task, set aside time for readings and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late assignments will be marked down with 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late. However, each of you have a "time bank" with 48 hours which you can draw from at any time, no questions asked and with no impact on your grade. If you are finding that you cannot make a deadline, email me before the deadline and let me know that you will be using your time bank to submit your assignment up to 48 hours later.

Your well-being and mental health

I understand that life sometimes gets in the way of learning and/or you might face challenges with your mental health. If that's the case, come talk to me or contact our careteam (care@dis.dk). Let me know if you are nervous about speaking in class, giving presentations, coming to class on time or the like. We'll work something out and I'm here to help - and to have fun learning together.

Questions or just want to talk?
Feel free to email or schedule an appointment, I would love to talk to you.

*The syllabus is likely to change slightly in the course of the semester to reflect the class' interests. You will know well in advance if there are any changes.

Academic Regulations 

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code

 

Assignment	Percent
Active participation in class activities, including study tours, field studies, etc.	20%
PST Portfolio Assignments	30%
Podcast assignment, including academic reflection.	25%
The Future of Sex Work Simulation Game	25%

PST Portfolio Assignments 

Podcast assignment

In groups of 2-3, you will create a podcast where you explore a theme related to our study tour. You will also write an individual reflection. You will receive an individual grade based on the group work and your reflection. 

The Future of Sex Work 

Through the case of sex dolls for hire we will investigate themes of stigma, motivations for buying sex, representation, customization, ethics, and objectification and consider what the pressing discussions are or should be when thinking about the future of sex work. We will simulate a townhall and your grade will be based on your research and your group's contribution to the discussion.

Faculty

Helle Rytkønen (pronouns: she/her) holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and a M.S. and B.S. from the University of Copenhagen. She has taught DIS classes in gender studies, cross-cultural communication and humor, race, class and gender. Before coming to DIS, Helle taught classes at Stanford University, University of San Francisco and Hope House, a rehabilitation center in California for female substance abusers and criminals. 

Readings

Mandatory readings are listed in the calendar below. Please come to class having read the texts - it makes for much better and more informed discussions. Other texts, videos, etc. might be added but always with advance notice.  Every effort has been made to distribute the reading load reasonably equally throughout the semester.

• Almodovar, Norma Jean (2010) Working it AND Monét, Veronica (2010) Sedition in Nagel, Jill (Ed.) Whores and other feminists, pp: 210-222
• American Jewish World Service (2013) 3. Who are Sex Workers? AND 4. Why do people do sex work? in Sex worker rights; (Almost) everything you wanted to ask but were afraid to ask, pp: 3-4
• Bacchi, Carol (2007) What’s the problem represented to be? An Introduction, pp.1-4
• Bernstein, Elizabeth (2007) Chapter 5: Desire, Demand and the Commerce of Sex, in Temporarily yours - Intimacy, Authenticity and the Commerce of Sex, pp: 113-141
• Bromberg, Sarah (1997) Chart: The Feminist Position on Prostitution, Feminist Issues in Prostitution (http://www.feministissues.com)
• Dank, Meredith & Johnson, Matthew (2014), The Hustle - Economics of the Underground Commercial Sex Industry, Urban Institute
• Davis, Kingsley (1937) The Sociology of Prostitution, The Sociological Review, vol. 2, 5, pp. 744-755
• Executive Summary in Stolen smiles: a summary report on the physical and psychological health consequences of women and adolescents trafficked in Europe, pp: 1-4
• Farley, Melissa, Bindel, Julie & Golding, Jacqueline M. (2009) Men who buy sex, who they are and what they know, Eaves, London
• Groes, Christian (2023): Compensated Dating in Denmark. Report from the research and development project "Sugardating among marginalized young people", Århus University
• Gubrium, J.F & Järvinen, M. (2013) Troubles, Problems and Clientization, In: J.F. Gubrium, J.F & Järvinen, M. (ed.) Turning Troubles into Problems, London: Routledge, pp: 1-15
• Helth, Hanne (2009) Take a Stand, Man!, in Korsvik, Trine & Stø, Ane, The Nordic Model, 103-124
• Jamrozik, Adam & Nocella, Luisa (1998), Introduction: Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems, in The Sociology of Social Problems, Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-11
• Levy, David (2007) Part two: Sex with Robots, in: Love and Sex with Robots, Duckworth Overlook, London, pp: 177-219
• Levy, David (2011) 14 - Ethics of Robot Prostitutes, in: Lin, Patrick et. al. (ed.) Robot Ethics: The Ethical and Social Implications of Robots, MIT Press, pp: 223-231
• Månsson, Sven, Men’s practices in prostitution and their implications for social work
  
• March 8 Initiative (2012), The Effects of the Swedish Ban on the Purchase of Sexual Services, www.8marts.dk
• Mission of Norway to the EU (2014) Evaluation of the Norwegian legislation criminalizing the buying of sexual services (summary), eu-norway.org
• Polly Trope, The night I became a prostitute (from Cured Meat)
• Rachel Moran, The prostitution experience
  
• Sex Workers in Europe Manifesto (2005)
• Smaadahl, Tove (2009) Radical Feminists and the Dispute About How to Understand Prostitution, in Korsvik, Trine & Stø, Ane, The Nordic Model, pp: 63-76.
• The Declaration of Rights of Sexworkers in Europe (2005)
• Walkowitz, Judith (1980) 10 - The Making of an Outcast Group: Prostitutes and Working Women in Plymouth and Southampton, in Prostitution and Victorian Society, Cambridge University Press, pp: 192-213