Course Catalogue

History of Queer Ideas, c. 1800-present SS HIST4326

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 60
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This Special Subject takes an intellectual history approach to some of the key texts that have shaped ideas about non-normative genders and sexualities in Western Europe and North America from c. 1880 to the present. Ranging across genres such as medical treatises, fiction, and queer theory, we will seek to understand how expert conceptual frameworks for understanding gender and sexuality have changed over time and how queer and trans people have articulated knowledge about themselves. Through reading, writing, and seminar discussion, you will also become familiar with methods and historiography in the field of intellectual history.

Timetable

Three hour seminar weekly over 10 weeks, in both Semester 1 and Semester 2, as scheduled in My Campus. This is one of the Honours options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Requirements of Entry

Successful completion of Junior Honours in History.

Co-requisites

n/a

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Portfolio of reading responses: 40%

■ 7-day seen exam: 50%

■ Seminar facilitator task: 10%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the portfolio and exam, but flexible deadlines or extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ Written lesson plan as alternative to seminar facilitation.

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Engage critically with challenging primary texts in queer history and the history of ideas;

■ Assess change over time in the paradigms used to understand gender and sexual diversity;

■ Develop key transferable skills in close reading, analytic writing, and collaborative discussion.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply methods from the field of intellectual history/history of ideas to texts related to queerness and sexuality

2. Parse complex theoretical texts and assess change over time in ideas relating to queerness and sexuality

3. Facilitate effective group discussion about course reading and concepts

4. Formulate persuasive and well-supported historical and historiographical arguments relating to the history of ideas

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions