English and Women's Studies
Teaching and Research
The English Department offers a number of courses every year that focus on the study of women and gender, most of which are listed as women-emphasis electives or as cross-listed courses in the Women's Studies Department. It is possible to take such a course at every level in our English program: ENGL 1155, Introduction to Literature: Gender and Form; ENGL 2240 and 2241, Women's Literary Tradition I and II; ENGL 3363, Feminisms and Their Literatures; and ENGL 4407, Queer Theory. In addition, courses on women and gender may be offered as special topics or directed studies. Gender study is a well established part of the field of English literature, and many professors in the department incorporate such an approach among a variety of others in their teaching and research. Several English professors are also appointed as faculty in the Joint M.A. in Women and Gender Studies.
Check out the women-emphasis courses offered by our department in 2011-12.
The Lesbian Pulp Fiction Collection
This special collection of rare books in the Mount Saint Vincent Library is a rich research resource for students of literary history, feminist theory, women's history, cultural studies, and visual design. The novels are on permanent display beside the circulation desk in the Library.
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Women-Emphasis Courses 2012-2013
In 2012-2013, the English Department is offering the following courses that are also listed in the Women's Studies program.
ENGL 1155: Introduction to Literature: Gender and Form
This course will provide an introduction to the critical study of the major forms of fiction, poetry, and drama, using examples from the time of Chaucer to the present day. Readings will include a balance of female and male writers, and a special focus for discussion will be representations of gender. Note: Students may not take both ENGL 1155 and ENGL 1170/1171 for credit.
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WOMS 4407/ENGL 4407/GWGS 6607: Queer Theory
Winter term; half unit
Tuesday and Thursday 3:05-4:20
Instructor: Karen Macfarlane
Queer
Theory examines the concepts, terms and texts that underpin the
construction and representation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and
other identities that stand in a 'sideways' relation to heteronormative
cultural codes, discourses and practices. Queer Theory is primarily an
analysis of desire, but desire as it is framed within social definitions
and limitations of 'normal'. It raises questions about epistemology
(how we 'know') and ontology (how we live/embody) in discourses of,
around and about sexuality. This course will focus on the discursive
production of queer sexualities and then analyze its relation to claims
of identity and to practices such as cross-dressing, writing and
politics and performance. The focus in this course will be on active
discussion of the texts at hand. As such, the focus is theoretical,
critical and philosophical rather than sociological. Students are strongly encouraged to take ENGL 4408 (Critical Theory) before they take this course.
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