Theme and perspective
How can we think historical change without thinking the very processes that make it possible, that is, the process of human generation? In this course we learn to think history through the lens of this question. This involves the very concrete bodily issues of reproduction – which immediately leads us to broader fields such as concepts of femininity and masculinity, sexual morality, the creation of lineages, and the troubling issues of religious, class, ethnic and racial ‘mixing’. But the question also pertains to a less concrete family or individualized level, in asking how a society organizes the transfer of material, social and cultural properties and resources to the next generation, and how communities mark their boundaries in doing so. Or: how does this process create ‘inherited differences’ – nationality, status, race, etc.? By doing so, the course offers a historical perspective on intersectionality.
This course builds on Joan Scott’s groundbreaking conceptualization of gender as a fundamental category of historical analysis by taking it a step further: it explicitly includes bodies and procreation within the concept. Bodies are understood in relation to practices, techniques, materialities and discourses through material semiotics. Precisely by understanding bodies in relation to practices and techniques, their historization becomes possible.
Dates, times, and location
The course will take place in Utrecht and will consist of 6 sessions in total.
Exact dates, times and location(s) will be announced soon.
Themes & methods
Besides an introductory lecture and closing session, the course is divided in four themes which each are connected to a kind of source:
- Feminism & Maternalism (Method: narrative texts)
- Mixing Categories (Method: deconstruction)
- Bodies (Method: practices, ANT, material semiotics)
- Genealogies (Method: demographic registrations, databases)
For each theme, there will be one or two guest lecturer(s). One lecture will discuss a historical example of the topic discussed, the other will concentrate more on issues of sources and method. Course coordinator Geertje Mak will be present at all classes.
Language
The course will also contain Dutch reading materials, both primary and secondary. It will be possible to follow the course if you can read Dutch. Google translate might be very helpful, but analyzing sources on that basis might be too tricky. Discussions will be in English, unless all students speak Dutch.
ECTS criteria
Successful completion is based on attendance of and active participation in all sessions as well as on the evaluation of a paper in which the student in which the student will use the perspective and insights of the course to analyze a source of their own choice.
Assessment and evaluation will be done by the course coordinator(s). Successful completion will result in a certificate stating the successful completion and the ECTS awarded; these certificates will be issued via the Huizinga Institute.
Successful completion of the course is valued at 5 ECTS.
How to register
Registration is open to RMA students registered with one of the National Research School (via their local graduate school). In case you are not yet registered, but will start your RMA in the academic year 2027-2028, you can also register; please mention this in the Remarks field of the form.
Please note that, in case we receive a surplus of applications, priority access will be granted to RMA students registered with the Netherlands Research School of Gender Studies (NOG). Therefore, final confirmation of your participation in this course can only be provided after the registration deadline.
