This class explores how the categories of gender and sexuality were defined, represented, enforced, and transgressed in ancient Greek and Roman literature. What were the expectations for normative gendered behavior in Greece and Rome? What were considered appropriate sexual acts? What evidence is there for transfolks, nonbinary folks, and other types of gender or sexual identities? No prior knowledge is needed.
Learning Objectives
- Situate ancient gender and sexuality within wider historical, literary, and cultural contexts [assessed through quizzes and exams]
- Assess the strengths and limitations of our primary source evidence for ancient gender and sexuality [assessed through exams]
- Reflect upon the intersections of the past and present [assessed through reaction/responses]
Required Readings
Most of the required readings for this class are available through Canvas. The one book you need for this class is listed below; up to three people at a time can read the e-book through UW libraries; otherwise it can be purchased from the University Bookstore as well as through amazon.com and other sites (prices vary between $4-11). Each meeting in the schedule below has one or more readings to be read before that class session.
Nehamas, Alexander and Paul Woodruff, trans. 1989. Plato Symposium. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing. [ISBN: 978-0872200760]