Department of English

This seminar revisits the question of gender before modernity in light of new expansions and developments within gender and sexuality studies, particularly trans studies. By exploring what historical studies of transness entail, the seminar’s objectives include such questions as: What do premodern literary and cultural representations tell us about gender(s) before modernity? What kind of dialogue can be generated between premodern materials and modern discussions and theorization of gender plurality, transness, and embodiment in general? What does it mean to read – and to analyze premodern literature – in a trans way? Reading materials will include epic poetry, saints’ lives, travelogues, plays, compendia of monsters, and medical, ethnographic, and philosophical treatises, as well as contemporary critical scholarship. Our approach to historical trans subjects, issues, and discussions in medieval and early modern materials will follow an intersectional perspective, investigating gender(s) in dialogue with race, religion, and class. This course is open to all Ph.D. and terminal M.A. students. Submatriculated MA students should contact the course instructors to request permission and should submit a permit request via Path@Penn.