Trans/Queer Archives
AMST 252
Fall 2026
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01
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What are archives? What are trans/queer archives? How are transgressive sexualities and gender nonconformity recorded and documented, historically and in the here-and-now? Lingering with such questions, this course introduces students to the key terms and concepts of the field of trans/queer archival studies. Exploring an array of scholarship, archival collections, and media (photography, films, social media platforms), we will trace how scholars, activists, and artists have conceptualized and constructed archives (physical and digital) of trans/queer life, U.S. and global, historical and contemporary. Through course assignments, students will contend with the ethics of archival practices and research. Key topics include archival theory and practices; colonial and national historiography; travesti/trans; queer/"quare"/cuir; HIV/AIDS; digital media and memory work; archival silence and violence; historical recovery, "critical fabulation," and speculation. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS AMST |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Sample readings may include Daniel Marshall and Zeb Tortorici, Turning Archival: The Life of the Historical in Queer Studies; Ann Cvetkovich, An Archive of Feelings: Trauma, Sexuality, and Lesbian Public Cultures; Gayatri Gopinath, Unruly Visions: The Aesthetic Practices of Queer Diaspora; Martin F. Manalansan IV, ¿The `Stuff¿ of Archives: Mess, Migration, and Queer Lives¿; Saidiya Hartman, Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval; Cole Rizki, ¿Latin/x American Trans Studies: Toward a Travesti-Trans Analytic.¿
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Examinations and Assignments:
Class participation, short writing assignments, midterm essay, final project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course will be taught by incoming faculty member Gregoria Rosa Olson |
Instructor(s): STAFF
Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 12 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 11 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 2 | FR: 1 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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