Waiting: Bodies, Time, Necropolitics
FGSS 329
Fall 2020
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
SISP 329 |
This interdisciplinary course draws from social theory, gender studies, medical anthropology, disability studies and science studies to address the social stratification of time in corporeal terms. Many theorists have described the 21st century as marked by acceleration; this course addresses its counterpoint: the slow, interminable wait, the being made-to-wait, and the socially structured scenes and experiences of waiting. How can we understanding waiting in the city emergency room for the mentally ill immigrant? What is it in the gender transition clinic? The polluted, toxic neighborhood? The refugee camp? We will begin by surveying multiple frameworks through which we can theorize time and its suspension. We will then focus on experiences of waiting in intersectional terms, that is, in relation to gender and sexuality, race, class, and dis/ability. We will explore how practices that produce life, health, and well-being (biopolitics) can also be necropolitical, when attention, care, or action is given to some, but prolonged or suspended for others. Readings will include works on necropolitical theory (Georigo Agamben, Achille Mbembe), medical and state subordination and abandonment (Javier Auyero, Joao Biehl), and queer and crip time (Lee Edleman, Elizabeth Freeman, Alison Kafer). We will explore a wide range of experiences of waiting, from those related to cancer diagnosis (Sarah Jain), gender assignment surgery (Alexandre Baril), to environmental toxicity (Michelle Murphy) and asylum seeking (Jennifer Bagelman). |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FGSS |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Joao Biehl, VITA: LIFE IN A ZONE OF SOCIAL ABANDONMENT
Javier Auyero, PATIENTS OF THE STATE
Elizabeth Freeman, TIME BINDS: QUEER TEMPORALITIES, QUEER HISTORIES
Sarah Jain, LIVING IN PROGNOSIS (article)
Achille Mbembe, AESTHETICS OF SUPERFLUIDITY (article)
Bagelman, Jennifer, SANCTUARY CITY: A SUSPENDED STATE (selection)
Robert McRuer, THE THEN AND THERE OF CRIP FUTURITY (article)
and other readings
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Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly short writing assignments, major presentation, term paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
I will endeavor to offer several in-person, optional meetings, perhaps outdoors, if on-campus space is available and conditions are favorable, but no in-person gatherings will be required for completion of the course. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
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| Instructor(s): Pitts-Taylor,Victoria Times: ..T.R.. 01:00PM-02:20PM; Location: ONLINE; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 1 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 3 |
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