Course Syllabus
| History of Sexuality in Europe |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Gender studies, History, Sociology |
| Faculty Members: |
Emilie Fuglsang Current Students: please contact your faculty using the canvas inbox function |
| Program Contact: |
Helle Rytkønen, hry@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays and Thursdays 14:50-16:10 Classroom: N7-B12 |
“I dream of the day when every newborn child is welcome, when men and women are equal, and when sexuality is an expression of intimacy, joy and tenderness.”
-Elise Ottesen-Jensen, Cofounder of the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (1933)
Course description: The past “century of sex” in Europe has taken us from prudish morals to sexual liberation in the 1960s, recognition of same sex partnerships, internet dating and heated debates about sexual norms and rights in a multicultural Europe. While sexuality is often considered a private matter, state regulations, church teachings, mass media, and popular culture regulate and shape our sexuality in various ways. Looking at topics like prostitution, reproductive rights, and sexual liberation, we will learn how sexual norms and behaviours are intimately woven into twentieth century European history, and explore how our own sexualities are shaped by history.
Today, sexual behaviors and attitudes structure public discussions ranging from sex education to parental leave to citizenship examinations. Historically, sexual politics played a prominent role as well. What type of sexual utopia did Hitler promise in his appeal to German men and women? Are contemporary, progressive sexual education policies in Scandinavia as utopian as they seem? The lens of sexuality is a powerful tool for rethinking conventional histories, as well as finding applications for the theories of Freud, Foucault and more. We will examine questions like: How is sexuality political and intrinsically connected to the nation state? What roles do capitalism and consumer culture play in the sexual liberation and present day identity politics?
Danish, Swedish, and German case studies will be central to understanding European changes in sexual behaviors, values, discussions and laws. Weimar Berlin had more than 100 lesbian bars during the interwar years and Scandinavian countries were on the forefront of European discussions of sexuality during the “first” sexual revolution of the 1920s/30s, paving the way for the decriminalization of homosexuality, the regulation of abortion, and the legalization of pornography. Stepping into the 21st century, we are confronted with new frontiers, changes and tensions, such as MeToo, ongoing conversations about consent, new digital spaces for exploring sexuality as well as the ongoing battle for sexual rights throughout Europe.
During the course, we will engage with primary material, such as music videos, movies, artwork, sexuality educational material and other formats.
The course is divided into 5 modules:
- Module 1: Conceiving sexuality
- Module 2: Early-mid 20th century: Rights, reforms and resistance
- Module 3: Mid-late 20th century: 'Frisind’, freedoms and sexual revolution
- Module 4: 21st century: Tensions, changes and new frontiers
Please note that class schedule is subject to change if necessary with as much notice as possible.
Learning goals and objectives
Upon completing the course, you will be able to …
- Demonstrate the various ways sexuality was central to the formation of European history in the 20th Century, and how history was central to the formation of the concept(s) of sexuality.
- Apply theories of gender and sexuality to historical moments, geographies, and settings.
- Examine the position of Scandinavia in the writing of European sexual histories.
- Historicize current events and critically reflect upon the relationship between historical context and the formation of cultural norms, concepts and ideas.
- Critically explore your own sexual norms and behaviors and understand how they are shaped by history.
In the classroom
Approach to Teaching
This course relies heavily on in-class participation. Class time will be largely discussion-based, with some lecture, group work and interactive activities.
Readings:
All readings will be available through Canvas. Readings are mandatory unless otherwise stated.
Students are expected to:
- Read the assigned readings and do any homework for each class as this is the basis for our classroom dialogue.
- Engage actively in class.
- Complete assignments and hand in written papers on time.
- Maintain an open mind and respectful attitude, as we will be touching on culturally sensitive subjects that are potentially divisive and/or mimic personal and private experiences of you or your fellow students.
The class as a SAFER and BRAVE SPACE:
Please note the class is discussion-based and it is very important that we all contribute to creating and maintaining a safer AND brave space throughout the semester. Your peers will come from a variety of backgrounds which we seek to use as an added value. Be open, curious and respectful during your own and other’s learning process. Remember to challenge ideas, not people.
A note on subject matter, participation and mental health
The course format is dialogue based and active participation is mandatory and will account for 30 % of your grade. However, we will be discussing potentially sensitive and/or triggering subject matters during the semester and I wish to prioritize that the classroom is a safer space for everyone. If you find a subject difficult to discuss or engage with for personal reasons, or if you are nervous about speaking in class, giving presentations, coming to class in time or the like, please come to me (in class, outside of class or via email is fine), and we will find a solution together.
Digital etiquette
The classroom is largely device free.
The use of mobile phones is not allowed during class. Laptops can be used at certain times during class for notetaking, research and group work. I will let you know when, so please do leave them in your bags till that time. If you have the use of your laptop as an academic accomodation, please let me know.
Evaluation/Grading:
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work:
| Participation | 30 % |
| Individual semester assignment: Journalistic article | 30 % |
| Group semester assignment: Sex education | 20 % |
| SMK: Drawing assignment | 10 % |
| Arbejdermuseet: Assignment | 10 % |
Readings
Ahlgren, Liv Moeslund and Ehm Hjorth Miltersen (2021): "Questioning Normal. Overcoming implicit resistance to norm critical education" in Women, Gender & Research No. 1 2021.
Andreassen, Rikke (2003): "The 'exotic' as mass entertainment. Denmark 1878-1909"
Barker, Meg-John and Jules Scheele (2016): Queer, a graphic history. Icon Books.
Edelberg, Peter (2014) : "The queer way to frisind" in Queer Cities, Queer Cultures. Europe since 1945. Bloomsbury.
Federici, Silvia (2002):"Women, reproduction and globalization" in Économie mondialisée et identités de genre. Graduate Institute Publications.
Foucault, Michel (1978): "Part Five: Right of Death and Power over Life" in The History of Sexuality Vol. 1, The Will to Knowledge. Random House.
Freud, Sigmund (1920, originally published 1905): "Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality". Nervous and mental disease Publishing Co, New York and Washington.
Hekma, Gert and Alain Giami (2014): "Sexual Revolutions. An Introduction" in Sexual Revolutions. Palgrave Macmillan.
Jagose, Annamarie (1996): "The invention of homosexuality" in Queer Theory. An introduction. New York University Press.
Lennerhed, Lena (2014): "Sexual Liberalism in Sweden" in Sexual Revolutions. Palgrave Macmillan.
Liinason, Mia (2023): "Homonationalism across borders. Exploring cross-border exchange and strategic homonationalism in the construction of progressive nationalism". Sexualities, Vol. 26(1-2) 86–104. Sage.
Loroff, Nicole (2012): "Gender and sexuality in Nazi Germany". Constellations (University of Alberta Student Journal) 3 (1).
Matte, Nicolas (2005): "International Sexual reform and Sexology in Europe, 1897-1933".
Matthews, Annalycia D. (2018): "Hyper-Sexualization of Black Women in the Media" in Gender & Sexuality Studies Student Work Collection. 22.
Rydström, Jens (2007): "Introduction" in Criminally Queer. Homosexuality and Criminal Law in
Scandinavia 1842-1999. Aksant Academic Publishers.
Srinivasan, Amia (2021): "Talking to my students about porn" in The Right to Sex. Bloomsbury.
Walkowitz, Judith (1977): “The Making of an Outcast Group,” in A Widening Sphere. Changing roles of Victorian Women. Indiana University Press.
Weeks, Jeffrey (1986): "The invention of sexuality" in Sexuality. Routledge.
Zettermark, Sofia (2023): "Invisible Responsible Women in Sweden. Planning Pregnancies, Choosing Contraceptives" in NORA - Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research 2023, vol. 31, no. 4.
Disability and resource statement:
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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