2015-2016 Academic Catalog

Jan 02, 2025

2015-2016 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

SOC 245 - Sex and the Global City

In the age of neoliberal globalization, sexualities have become more and more visible in the landscape of international tourism and the market economy. At the same time, global cities as centers of the global economy have also become increasingly important spaces to understand sexualities. Focusing on relationships between sexuality and urban space, this class examines three interrelated themes. It begins with a short overview of the history of homosexuality in both American and European cities dating back to the nineteenth century continuing to the twenty first century. The relationship between capitalism and sexualities will be explored. The second theme covers current sex trafficking through examining the lives of Filipino hostesses in Tokyo. We will pay attention to the gender relationship between male Japanese customers and female hostesses including transgender women. The third theme is about how cultural tradition and social policies shape urban experiences of sexualities in different parts of the world. Thus, this class will move our gaze beyond sexuality as sexual behavior, sexual orientation and sexual identity. Instead, this class allows students to link this topic to urban planning, social policy, economics, culture, and social change at both national and global levels.

Program of Liberal Studies (PLS) Designation: GP

Anticipated Terms Offered: Periodically