History of Sexuality
What: A Curious Soul Philosophy workshop
Where: Online via Zoom
When: 3 Saturdays, new dates TBA
What Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Workshop 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, 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!
About Your Workshop Leader:
Monica Vilhauer, Ph.D. is a former professor of philosophy and the founder of Curious Soul Philosophy. She’s committed to the practical value of philosophy for everyday life, and she’s always looking for ways to move philosophy beyond academic settings and into the community. She does this by offering workshops, retreats, and individual philosophical counseling through Curious Soul.
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 (the first half of each session) we’ll work to understand key concepts from our reading for the day and from supplementary mini-lectures given by the workshop leader. In the Lab portion of the workshop (the second half) we will reflect on the ways in which the theory applies to our own personal and political struggles. We will devise “experiments” for putting key concepts into practice in our lives, and we will discuss with each other how our experiments work out.
Book to Purchase: The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction, by Michel Foucault (Vintage Books, 1990). 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 will send by email to help us focus, and come with some marked passages to talk about.
Cost per person: $200 (for three 2-hour philosophy sessions)
- The workshop has limited space. Register today to save yourself a spot!
- Deadline to register: TBA
- Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, PayPal still allows you to pay using a credit card.
Registration is now closed.