Sex Work and Sex Trafficking: Empowerment, Exploitation, and the Politics of Sex
FGSS 255
Spring 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
SOC 256 |
This course explores the history, politics, and social meaning of sex work. Focusing particularly but not exclusively upon prostitution, we will pay careful attention to the diverse range of social experiences that form sex work, as well as the way in which prostitution is used as a governing metaphor within sexual relations more generally. Some questions the course will consider: How has sex work changed over time, and what do these changes tell us about both the nature of sex work and about the broader society? In what ways is sex work similar to or different from other forms of service labor or other types of intimate relationship? How do questions of race, class, sexuality, and gender alter the meaning and experience of sex work? What sorts of desires and expectations do clients bring to interactions with sex workers, and in what ways have these shifted over time? Recent controversies concerning sex trafficking and underage prostitution will also be addressed, as will the effects of various regulatory schemes that have been developed around the world. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS FGSS |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: SOC151 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST)(FGSS)(SOC)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Elizabeth Bernstein, TEMPORARILY YOURS: INTIMACY, AUTHENTICITY, AND THE COMMERCE OF SEX Sealing Cheng, ON THE MOVE FOR LOVE: MIGRANT ENTERTAINERS AND THE U.S. MILITARY IN SOUTH KOREA
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Examinations and Assignments:
Five 1-2 page response papers plus one 15-20 page final paper (earlier drafts required for submission) |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Kaye,Kerwin Times: ..T.R.. 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: FISK314; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 6 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 5 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 3 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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