Student Responses to Judith Butler's Gender Trouble

On this day of class, you have a choice of a few readings (this is a bit different from described on the syllabus).  Here are your options:

1. If you would like to read more about the role and history of queer theory in women's and gender studies, you should read Jennifer Purvis's article to see how "the fear of queer" limited solidarity and social justice for homophobic, early (and still contemporary) feminists and gender activists in critical key moments and public events.  Click here for Purvis.
2. For a popular (and short), online definition of queer theory, click here.  This online essay will give you introduce you to the politics and history.
3. If you would like to read a short, online historical overview about a foundational text in queer studies called "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence" click here to see what this still controversial 1980 text by Adrienne Rich called "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence" is critical to the field. 
4. If you want the REAL THING, read the actual article, "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence," by Rich who pushes women--- straight, lesbian, bi, queer, experimental--- to question compulsory heterosexuality.  Her view was that women needed to reorient their lives around other women, processes that radical lesbian communities were most conscious and effective with. Click here for Rich's full article.

Please see the syllabus for your writing assignment.

OPTIONAL: For those of you still interested/confused on the differences between Simone Beauvoir, Luce Irigaray, and Judith Butler from the previous class, click here for a relevant lecture.  The lecture considers the following three questions: What is Beauvoir's existentialist meaning for "becoming woman" and how does it reframe feminist thought? What is Irigaray's understanding of the question of woman in Beauvoir's Second Sex? How does Butler "queer" feminist philosophy by offering a post-structuralist take on Beauvoir's Second Sex?