The History of Sexuality
Where:
World Cup Coffee, 1740 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR (side room).
When:
Saturdays, November 10, 17, 24, 2018, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
(If you want to join, but Nov. 24th poses a Thanksgiving related problem for you, please let Monica know: mvilhauer@mac.com. If we have some folks in this situation, we could do a make up session on Sat. Dec. 1.)
Description:
Michel Foucault’s History of Sexuality, Vol. 1 has become a contemporary classic in gender studies and queer theory. In the book, Foucault famously argues that sexual identities are not natural categories, but are socially constructed. He shows how mechanisms of power have operated since the Victorian era – in the church, in medicine, and in criminal justice – to incite discourses about sex, to govern sexual practices, and to carve out and create a whole new array of "polymorphous sexualities."
Yes, this is a controversial book about sex and identity. But more than anything, it is a book about power. It shows how power is not only a prohibitive or repressive force, but also a creative and generative one. It shows how power inscribes itself upon bodies and desires, those parts of ourselves we typically believe to represent our barest and most primordial “truth." And it investigates the ways in which individuals are not only always subjected to power, but also exist as sites of resistance.
World Cup Coffee, 1740 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR (side room).
When:
Saturdays, November 10, 17, 24, 2018, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
(If you want to join, but Nov. 24th poses a Thanksgiving related problem for you, please let Monica know: mvilhauer@mac.com. If we have some folks in this situation, we could do a make up session on Sat. Dec. 1.)
Description:
Michel Foucault’s History of Sexuality, Vol. 1 has become a contemporary classic in gender studies and queer theory. In the book, Foucault famously argues that sexual identities are not natural categories, but are socially constructed. He shows how mechanisms of power have operated since the Victorian era – in the church, in medicine, and in criminal justice – to incite discourses about sex, to govern sexual practices, and to carve out and create a whole new array of "polymorphous sexualities."
Yes, this is a controversial book about sex and identity. But more than anything, it is a book about power. It shows how power is not only a prohibitive or repressive force, but also a creative and generative one. It shows how power inscribes itself upon bodies and desires, those parts of ourselves we typically believe to represent our barest and most primordial “truth." And it investigates the ways in which individuals are not only always subjected to power, but also exist as sites of resistance.
About Philosophy Workshops:
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, self-examination, and practical application. They are led by philosophy professors committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
The Theory and the Lab:
There are two portions of this discussion-based workshop: 1) the Theory, and 2) the Lab.
In the Theory portion of the workshop (from 1:00-2:30) we’ll work to understand Foucault’s analysis of power and the construction of sexual identities. In the Lab portion of the workshop (from 2:45- 3:30) we will reflect on the ways in which the theory applies to our own time period, our current political struggles, and our personal lives. We’ll consider how power operates to shape our own behaviors, desires, and identities (in the ways that are of most interest to the group), and what avenues of resistance and creativity are open to us. We will devise “experiments” for developing greater awareness and agency in power relationships, and we will discuss with each other how our experiments work out.
If this is your first philosophy workshop, you can learn more about what to expect here.
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, self-examination, and practical application. They are led by philosophy professors committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
The Theory and the Lab:
There are two portions of this discussion-based workshop: 1) the Theory, and 2) the Lab.
In the Theory portion of the workshop (from 1:00-2:30) we’ll work to understand Foucault’s analysis of power and the construction of sexual identities. In the Lab portion of the workshop (from 2:45- 3:30) we will reflect on the ways in which the theory applies to our own time period, our current political struggles, and our personal lives. We’ll consider how power operates to shape our own behaviors, desires, and identities (in the ways that are of most interest to the group), and what avenues of resistance and creativity are open to us. We will devise “experiments” for developing greater awareness and agency in power relationships, and we will discuss with each other how our experiments work out.
If this is your first philosophy workshop, you can learn more about what to expect here.
About Your Workshop Leader:
Monica Vilhauer, Ph.D. is a former professor of philosophy and gender studies, as well as an author and the founder of Curious Soul Philosophy. She is committed to the practical value of philosophy for everyday life, and is excited to move philosophy beyond academic settings into the local community.
Monica Vilhauer, Ph.D. is a former professor of philosophy and gender studies, as well as an author and the founder of Curious Soul Philosophy. She is committed to the practical value of philosophy for everyday life, and is excited to move philosophy beyond academic settings into the local community.
Book to Purchase: The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction, by Michel Foucault (Vintage Books, 1990). Inexpensive copies can be purchased through Amazon. Be sure to order your book early to account for delivery time.
Calendar:
Week 1: “We Other Victorians”, The Incitement to Discourse (p. 1-35)
Week 2: The Perverse Implantation, Scientia Sexualis (p. 36-73)
Week 3: The Deployment of Sexuality, Objective, Method (p.77-102)
Preparation:
For each meeting, participants should read in advance the selection of text we'll be discussing, consider some questions Monica sends by email to help us focus, and come with some marked passages to talk about.
Cost: $199 (for three afternoon philosophy sessions)
Calendar:
Week 1: “We Other Victorians”, The Incitement to Discourse (p. 1-35)
Week 2: The Perverse Implantation, Scientia Sexualis (p. 36-73)
Week 3: The Deployment of Sexuality, Objective, Method (p.77-102)
Preparation:
For each meeting, participants should read in advance the selection of text we'll be discussing, consider some questions Monica sends by email to help us focus, and come with some marked passages to talk about.
Cost: $199 (for three afternoon philosophy sessions)
- Are you signing up to take the workshop with a friend? Click on the "Friends Discount" button for the discounted rate of $150.
- The workshop has limited space. Please register soon to save yourself a spot!
- Registration closes on Saturday, November 3rd.
- Register by clicking the appropriate button below and following instructions to use PayPal. Thanks!
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