Nikki sullivan, a critical introduction to queer theory. So heres what queer theorists most want you to understand. Linnell secomb, department of gender studies, university of sydney a critical introduction to queer theory is a book i will be keeping on my shelves, and i would recommend it to students new to queer theory and queer textual analysis as a reference point from whence to begin their own explorations. The book begins by putting gay and lesbian sexuality and politics in historical context and demonstrates how and why queer theory emerged in the west in. Background queer theory libguides at university of. It is very much a work in progress and i will add more as and when it is ready. Since the early 1990s, the term queer has been strategically taken up to signify a wideranging and unmethodical resistance to normative models of sex, gender, and sexuality. This new take on queer theory explores the ways in which sexuality, subjectivity and sociality have been discursively produced in various historical and cultural contexts. Unlike earlier lesbian and gay movements whose politics depended on visible identities, queer theory grew out of a critique of this and perhaps thats where djuna barnes sits. Your participation should be grounded in the reading. Indeed suspicion about the ongoing usefulness of queer theory is a better measure of its viability than widespread institutionalization and normalization. Sullivan goes on to provide a detailed overview of the complex ways in.
What is queer theory definition of queer theory define. Reclaiming queer is an examination of the rhetorical linkage of queer theory in the academy with streetlevel queer activism in the 1980s and early 1990s. From other sources, i have found texts surrounding queer theory to be jargonriddled and sometimes impenetrable, but this critical introduction offers a clear and. A critical introduction to queer theory by nikki sullivan. Queer theory includes both queer readings of texts and the theorisation of queerness itself. It contains links to feminism, marxism, psychoanalysis and queer theory resources. Remember, participation does not just mean talking, it means contributing to our collective learning. Judith butler is commonly referred to as the father of queer theory and is a scholar of gender and sexuality studies, feminist theory, political philosophy, critical theory and cultural criticism. An introduction, annamarie jagose provides a clear and concise explanation of queer theory, tracing it as part of an intriguing history of samesex love over the last century, from midcentury homophile movements to gay liberation, the womens movement and lesbian feminism, to the reappropriation of the term queer. A critical introduction to queer theory edition 1 by nikki. Jan 01, 2003 a critical introduction to queer theory book. From other sources, i have found texts surrounding queer theory to be jargonriddled and sometimes impenetrable, but this critical introduction offers a clear and interesting overview of various aspects of queer theory.
The book begins by putting gay and lesbian sexuality and politics in historical context and demonstrates how and why queer theory emerged in the west in the late twentieth century. Jan 28, 2015 queer theory grew out of feminism and gender studies in the 1990s in this theory the word queer is not necessarily a synonym for gay but rather a position that rejects conventions or mainstream expressions of all types of behaviour including sexuality and gender. Sullivan 2003 a critical introduction to queer theory a. Queer theory is a field of critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s out of the fields of queer studies and womens studies. Finally, there is the queer theory of the books subtitle. A critical introduction to queer theory in searchworks catalog.
Choice a critical introduction to queer theory explores the ways in which sexuality, subjectivity and sociality have been discursively produced in various historical and cultural contexts. Although this use of queer marks a process of resignification as new meanings and values are associated with what was once a term of homophobic abuse, there is always an important sense in which queer. Queer used to be a slang word for homosexuals and was used for homophobic abuse. Edelmans book doesnt just show us what a queer reading practice should look like for, after all, film. Black wholes and the geometry of black female sexuality, differences 6. Queer theory project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. It also attracted significant criticism, however, for both its substance and its style. Reclaiming queer thus offers a critical look at the rhetoric of queer activism, engages the history of queer theorys institutionalization and the politics of its proliferation, suggests a.
At the heart of my study is the movement towards a queer asian american critique that unpacks and. Oct 04, 20 queer theory is a rapidly growing field in the critical theory tradition. Queer theory introduction sex aint as simple as restroom signs suggest. Insisting on queer studies intellectual and political relevance to a wide. The powerpoint i have been adding to as i teach lit. A critical introduction to queer theory by nikki sullivan preface and chapters about the author nikki sullivan teaches critical and cultural studies at macquarie university in australia in her teaching and work, sullivan explores topics such as voluntary body modification. A journal of feminist cultural studies she edited based on that conference queer theory focuses on mismatches between sex, gender and desire. Queering social justice curricula within higher education usf. This new take on queer theory explores the ways in which sexuality, subjectivity and sociality have. Rethinking queer subjectivity robert reidpharr 01 ng e part 3 temporalities 150 163 165 180 194 212 221 14 tavia nyongo 00 you want queer theory or 00 you want. Jun 17, 2003 linnell secomb, department of gender studies, university of sydney a critical introduction to queer theory is a book i will be keeping on my shelves, and i would recommend it to students new to queer theory and queer textual analysis as a reference point from whence to begin their own explorations. Queer theory grew out of feminism and gender studies in the 1990s in this theory the word queer is not necessarily a synonym for gay but rather a position that rejects conventions or mainstream expressions of all types of behaviour including sexuality and gender.
The book begins by putting gay and lesbian sexuality and politics in historical context and demonstrates how, and why, queer theory emerged in the west in the late twentieth. Throughout the chapter, we highlight the differences between queer theory, queer research methodologies, queer studies, and queer as an identity category. A critical introduction to queer theory by nikki sullivan edinburgh. Heavily influenced by the work of eve kosofsky sedgwick, judith butler, and lauren berlant, queer. We spoke to a few queer theory aficionados and came up with this list of 20 mustread queer theory texts. Apr 12, 2017 this chapter provides an overview of queer theory, along with examples of how we and others have applied queer theory in social psychology research. It serves as the magicians assistant to whitenesss disappearing act.
A critical introduction to queer theory is a book i will be keeping on my shelves, and i would recommend it to students new to queer theory and queer textual analysis as a reference point from whence to begin their own explorations. The multiple definitions of queerare examined, to foster an understandingthe positions. A critical introduction to queer theory explores the ways in which sexuality, subjectivity and sociality have been discursively produced in various historical and cultural contexts. A critical introduction to queer theory nikki sullivan scribd. Linnell secomb,university of sydney this book is a succinct, pedagogically designed introduction. Jun 17, 2003 a critical introduction to queer theory is a book i will be keeping on my shelves, and i would recommend it to students new to queer theory and queer textual analysis as a reference point from whence to begin their own explorations. Pdf queer is often used as an umbrella term by and for persons who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, andor transgender, or by and. Even sympathetic readers of butlers work, for example, worried read more. Barry, p 2002, lesbiangay criticism, in p barry eds, beginning theory.
Explores the ways in which sexuality, subjectivity and sociality have been discursively produced in various historical and cultural contexts the book begins by putting gay and lesbian sexuality and politics in historical context and demonstrates how and why queer theory emerged in the west in the late twentieth century. The book begins by putting gay and lesbian sexuality and politics in historical context and demonstrates how and why queer theory emerged in the west in the late. A critical introduction to queer theory nikki sullivan. Whilst the list of topics covered in the book is far from exhaustive, the theories. Living with the tensions ken plummer university of essex published in the sage handbook of qualitative research edited by yvonna lincoln and norman denzin 3rd edition 2005 a revised edition is also published in the the 4th edition of this book 2011 failure to examine the conceptual structures. Her main idea is that she refuses to accept labels all together. Sullivan preface and chapters by elaine murphy on prezi. Foucault is not the origin of queer theory, nor is queer theory the destination of foucaults thinking. We use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. Queer has been associated most prominently with bisexual, lesbian and gay subjects, but its analytic framework also includes such topics as. Oct 02, 2019 unlike earlier lesbian and gay movements whose politics depended on visible identities, queer theory grew out of a critique of this and perhaps thats where djuna barnes sits. Jenny alexander, department of media and film, university of sussex, sexualities. Perceived inverse relationship with normative academicism, queer as inherently against normativity.
Queer theory includes both queer readings of texts and the theorization of queerness itself. Lgbtq social, cultural, and political issues have become a defining fea ture of twentyfirst century life, transforming on a global scale any number of institutions. The term queer theory was introduced in 1990, with eve kosofsky sedgwick, judith butler, adrienne rich and diana fuss all largely following the work of michel foucault among its foundational proponents. A critical introduction to queer theory edition 1 by. Often examining the intersection of capitalism, gender, heterosexism and the state, queer theory is constantly seeking to break down norms and question the status quo. Throughout the chapter, we highlight the differences between queer theory, queer research methodologies. The analysis that comes from queer theory even queer of color critique, then, rests on the. Queer theory follows and expands upon feminist theory by refusing the belief that sexuality and gender identity are essentialist categories determined by biology. Queer theory is a field of poststructuralist critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s out of the fields of queer studies and womens studies. This classic guide offers a thorough and accessible introduction to contemporary critical theory, providing indepth coverage of the most common approaches to literary analysis today. This sense of queer theory s builtin obsolescence might be read as evidence less of queer theory s inevitable decline than its transitory and always transformational potential. Queer theory is a part of the field of queer studies whose roots can be found in womens studies, feminist theory, and gay and lesbian studies, as well as postmodern and poststructuralist theories. Lacan meets queer theory part 2 sex 10 lauren berlant and michael warner sex in public 11 gregory tomso viral sex and the politics of life 12 elizabeth grosz experimental desire.
Eve kosofsky sedgwick 19502009 michel foucault eve kosofsky sedgwick american academic scholar in fields of gender studies, queer theory, and critical theory considered one of the founders of the queer theory in the early 90s discussed the social meanings and violent force. Dec 04, 2011 we use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. Critical queer studies 2 stake in these debates, and to begin to forge your own analysis. Provides comprehensive coverage of the relevant issues within queer theory and incorporates provocative and highly contentious debates around sadomasochism, fetishism, and transgenderism. Queer theory news, research and analysis the conversation. Queer theory moves between literary analysis and activism because it shows how cultural. Queer theorys origin is hard to clearly define, since it came from multiple critical and cultural contexts, including feminism, poststructuralist theory, radical movements of people of color, the gay and lesbian movements, aids activism, many sexual subcultural practices such as sadomasochism, and postcolonialism. If sex is not just about reproduction, it is not just about genes, xy chromosomes, and hormones either. This class is a gender and sexuality course, and is the only course that focuses on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex. Queer theory is a field of university of california, santa cruz in 1990 and a special issue of differences. His history of sexuality examines not just sex itself, but how sex acts are discussed and categorized. This chapter provides an overview of queer theory, along with examples of how we and others have applied queer theory in social psychology research. Queer theory is a rapidly growing field in the critical theory tradition.