Spring 1995--Seminar on Sexuality and Difference I Freud and Sex-Pol
Ho (A-211, THURSDAY 2-4:50)
Office 424 (By appointment)

Recent reflections on the politics of sex (or 'erotic politics') have both derived and departed much from the theory of sexuality proposed by Freud. In the light of cultural studies and feminist theories, this seminar aims to read certain classical works in the area of sex(ual) politics. We will begin with recent calls for a radical theory of sex so as to get our bearing on relevant issues. Then we will read into the most important statement on sex(uality) by Freud and key writings by leading Freudo-Marxists. (This course will probably turn out to be the first in a trilogy of graduate courses on feminist debates and sexual politics, to be completed in the coming semesters.)

Required Reading:
  • Freud, Sigmund. Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. Trans. by James Strachey. Standard Edition.
  • Freud, Sigmund. "'Civilized' Sexual Morality and Modern Nervousness." Trans. by E. B. Herford and E. Colburn Mayne. Standard Edition.
  • Marcuse, Herbert. Eros and Civilization: A Philosophical Inquiry into Freud. New York: Vintage, 1955.
  • Reich, Wilhelm. The Sexual Revolution: Toward a Self-Regulating Character Structure. Trans. by Therese Pol. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1974.
  • Rubin, Gayle. "Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality." Eds. by Henry Abelove et. al. The Lesian and Gay Studies
  • Reader. New York: Routledge, 1993. 3-44. But we will read the revised version in American Feminist Thought at Century's End: A Reader. Ed. by Linda S. Kauffman. Cambridge: Blackwell, 1993. 3-64.
  • Weeks, Jeffrey. Sexuality and Its Discontents: Meanings, Myths, & Modern Sexualities. Boston : Routledge & K. Paul, 1985.


TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

2-16 Introduction to the course
2-23 Rubin, "Thinking Sex"
3-2 Rubin, "Thinking Sex"
3-9 Freud, Three Essays--first & second essays
3-16 Freud, third essay & "'Civilized' Sexual Morality"
3-23 Reich, Sexual Revolution xi-xxxi,
3-39 3-30 Reich, Sexual Revolution 40-119,
4-6 Spring Break
4-13 Reich, Sexual Revolution 120-153, 218-221
4-20 Marcuse, Eros 3-49
4-27 Marcuse, Eros 180-202, 217-251
5-4 Weeks, Sexuality 3-57
5-11 Weeks, Sexuality 61-123 (Decide paper topics)
5-18 Weeks, Sexuality 127-181
5-25 Weeks, Sexuality 185-210
6-1 Weeks, Sexuality 211-260
6-9 Wrap-up (final paper due)

Recommended Further Reading:

I. 

Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and its Discontents.   Freud, Sigmund. Sexuality and the Psychology of Love.

Brief accounts of Freud's view on sexuality can be found in Philip Rieff's Freud: The Mind of the Moralist (Chapter v) and Richard Wollheim's Sigmund Freud (Chapter iv). Of course, Laplanch and Pontalis' The Language of Psycho-analysis is always a very helpful reference book.

II.

Reich, Wilheim. The Mass Psychology of Fascism.

Second-hand materials on Reich and Marcuse are enormous. The list below merely reflects my own preference. Paul A. Robinson's The Freudian Left provides a general survey. (One may also read Charles Rycroft's Wilhelm Reich and Alasdair MacIntyre's Herbert Marcuse instead.) Douglas Kellner's Herbert Marcuse and the Crisis of Marxism (Chapter 6) contains an exposition of Marcuse's Eros. Juliet Mitchell's treatment of Reich in her Psychoanalysis and Feminism (pp. 137-223) is meant to fit in with her defense of Freud against some other feminists' attack on Freud. Bertell Ollman's Social and Sexual Revolution (Chapter 7) points out the significance of Reich's early works from a Marxist point of view.

Important related works to be read in future courses:

Edwards, Tim. Erotics and Politics. London: Routledge, 1994. Vance, Carole S. Pleasure and Danger: Exploring Female Sexuality. Boston: RKP, 1984. Snitow, Ann, Christine Stansell and Sharon Thompson. Powers of Desire: The Politics of Sexuality. New York: Monthly Review, 1983. (The British edition of this book is published by Vorago Press in 1984 under the title Desire: The Politics of Sexuality.)