WS 505 Sustainability and Spirituality

Course Description: In this critical-thinking, dialogue-based class, we will look at the relationship between religion, spirituality, ecology and sustainability. In what ways is  our ecological crisis related to our cultural, social, moral and religious values? Can faith traditions and indigenous wisdom provide knowledge and guidance? How can we become empowered eco-citizens to be able to hope and act for change? In this course of both theory ( substantial readings) and praxis, we will learn the fundamental importance of self-care and community, as well as tools for transformation. How can we restore balance to our lives and to our home, the earth?  We will welcome spiritual teachers from diverse wisdom traditions into our class to facilitate these discussions and guide us in practices and rituals.

This course will be a survey of U.S. narrative and documentary films featuring LGBTQ+ themes from the 1940s through the present.  We will utilize critical race, feminist, queer and trans theories to analyze these films and place them in a historical, socio-cultural and political context.  Attention will be paid to intersecting identities such as ethnicity, class, dis/ability, age, weight/appearance and religion to gain a complex understanding of the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and the struggles and issues they have faced in the past 80 years, including: coming out and coming of age; identity politics and LGBTQ+ activisms; historical and contemporary discrimination; race and racism; queering the film canon; and sexual expression.  Work for the course will include readings, film screenings, discussion posts, a midterm essay, the production of a class-wide zine and a final research essay on the queer/trans film(s) of the student’s choosing. 

Course Description: This course is an introduction to transgender identities, history, and politics in the United States.  Through readings, films, guest speakers, discussions and small group activities, we will explore the diversity and complexity of transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming people’s lived experiences in our society.  Specific topics we will examine include: trans autobiographies; critical trans politics and activism; trans intersections with race and racism; trans images in the media; trans people and celebrity; hate crimes; transgender youth; non-binary identities and transfeminism. Work for the course will consist of a midterm essay exam, presentations, creation of a class-wide zine, a final research essay and discussion board posts, along with weekly classes.