Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - GSWS 411 E100

Special Topics in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (4)

STFriendship as a Liberatory politic

Class Number: 6929

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units, including six units in GSWS.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A specific theme within the field of gender, sexuality, and women's studies, not otherwise covered in depth in regularly scheduled courses, will be dealt with as occasion and demand warrant.

COURSE DETAILS:

Scholars working against the grain of “amatonormavity” (a term coined by Elizabeth Brake to describe the centering and privileging of the romantic dyad in society) have often looked to friendship as an alternative and liberatory care configuration. For example, Adrienne Rich offered the concept of the “lesbian continuum” as a reconceptualization of women’s intimacies that encouraged women to direct their energies (sexual and otherwise) on their relationships with other women and Audre Lorde celebrated the “power of sisterhood” as an essential sustenance in the development of a rich and meaningful life. This discussion-based seminar engages with questions about the potential of friendships as a liberatory politic for dismantling heteropatriarchy in society. Within a context that recognizes the complexity of human intimacies and affective relations (including love, hate, duty, longing and loss) we will engage with scholars, philosophers and historians who have unpacked the challenges and opportunities that friendship holds as a normative and legally legible alternative care configuration.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

For more detailed information please see the GSWS website: https://www.sfu.ca/gsws/undergraduate/courses/goals.html

Grading

  • Seminar Participation 15%
  • Research Project Proposal 5%
  • Short Analytical Papers (4 X 5%) 20%
  • Research Project Presentation 5%
  • Seminar Discussion Facilitation 20%
  • Research Project 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Lorde, Audre. 1982. Zami.

Cohen, Rhaina. 2024. The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center. Sow, A., Friedman, A. (2023). Big Friendship: How we Keep Each Other Close.

All other assigned materials will be posted on Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.